Researchers have long been fascinated by individuals with exceptional face recognition skills, often referred to as 'super recognisers'. These individuals possess a unique ability to recall faces from memory, even after brief encounters.
If you're curious about whether you might be a super recogniser yourself, there are two online tests available: the UNSW Face Test and the Super Recognisers Greenwich Test. Both of these tests aim to gauge your face recognition abilities.
To start, consider taking either test to see how well you can identify faces from images or in person. The results will provide you with an idea of whether you possess this extraordinary skill, which is thought to be highly developed in individuals who have had extensive exposure to faces throughout their lives, such as those working in professions where face recognition is crucial.
These tests can serve as a fun and engaging way to explore your own cognitive abilities. Take the challenge and see what results you get – but be warned: your ability to recall faces might just surprise you.
Support the Guardian by visiting theguardian.com/sciencepod for more fascinating content like this podcast episode about super recognisers, where experts delve deeper into their research on face recognition skills.
If you're curious about whether you might be a super recogniser yourself, there are two online tests available: the UNSW Face Test and the Super Recognisers Greenwich Test. Both of these tests aim to gauge your face recognition abilities.
To start, consider taking either test to see how well you can identify faces from images or in person. The results will provide you with an idea of whether you possess this extraordinary skill, which is thought to be highly developed in individuals who have had extensive exposure to faces throughout their lives, such as those working in professions where face recognition is crucial.
These tests can serve as a fun and engaging way to explore your own cognitive abilities. Take the challenge and see what results you get – but be warned: your ability to recall faces might just surprise you.
Support the Guardian by visiting theguardian.com/sciencepod for more fascinating content like this podcast episode about super recognisers, where experts delve deeper into their research on face recognition skills.
! I've always felt like I could spot a familiar face in a crowd from far away, but I never knew if it was just my intuition or something more 
. I mean, think about all the people you meet every day - friends, family, coworkers... your face recognition skills should be pretty sharp by now 
. It's gonna be interesting to see how well I do on this test! 
Still, I'm curious to see how well I do on one of these tests. Maybe I'll even discover I have super recogniser skills 
! It'd be awesome to know I have an edge when it comes to remembering faces.
I took one of those tests years ago and was surprised to find out I'm pretty good at recognizing faces! 
... it's crazy how much of a difference experience makes in developin' that skill 
It's crazy that there's actual research into how our brains process facial recognition. Shouldn't we be exploring ways to develop this skill in the general population? I mean, imagine if we could use face recognition to prevent crimes or identify potential security threats. 
What's even more fascinating is the idea that these super recognisers might have had extensive exposure to faces throughout their lives - like law enforcement or security professionals. That makes total sense, but it also raises questions about how we can develop this skill in ourselves, whether through practice or something else entirely... 
It's crazy to think that some of us might be naturally gifted with this skill, especially those who work in fields like law enforcement or security 
. I'm definitely gonna take these tests and see where my face recognition skills lie 
Anyway, I did take one of these tests for fun... turns out I scored okay, but it was super boring and the results were, like, 2% more accurate than blind chance. 
Still, if you're into that sorta thing, go ahead and give it a shot! Just don't say I didn't warn you about the awkwardness of sharing your face recognition skills with strangers online 
, right? And who knows, maybe one of those online tests will reveal that you're a "super recogniser" too 
. I'm not taking any of these tests, trust me 
.
but also kinda concerned that's what makes me so good at spotting fake faces 
anyone else try these tests? 
. I mean, think about how many faces we're constantly exposed to in our daily lives - from social media to work meetings, it's like, face recognition is basically a skill that everyone should have 
. Who knows, maybe I'll discover my hidden talent for face recognition 
... I mean, I've met some people in my life and can kinda remember their faces, but I don't know if that's the same as being a super recogniser 
.
I've taken the UNSW Face Test and guess what? I scored pretty high! 