Development of Facial Information Processing in Nonhuman Primates.

Taken together, the data show that humans as well as gibbons and chimpanzees have the ability to process facial information from shortly after birth. Although the eyes should have been the most significant facial element in evolution, gaze perception in great apes may not be simply a product of an innate module that is automatically processed. Rather, the ability may depend upon prolonged exposure to faces and may develop through face-to-face social interaction during the first few months of life. Few experimental studies have investigated early cognitive development in nonhuman primates. Further developmental and comparative studies will help reveal the relationship between species-specific biological foundations and the effect of postnatal experience in the development of face processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]