Why Some Faces Are Impossible to Forget

Have you ever met someone once and remembered their face years later, while forgetting so many others?

In this video, we explore some of the psychology behind why certain faces stay with us. From facial distinctiveness to emotional memories and familiarity, our brains are constantly deciding which faces are worth remembering.

What do you think makes someone unforgettable? Let us know in the comments. We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

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References

Bruce, V., & Young, A. (1986). Understanding face recognition. British Journal of Psychology, 77(3), 305–327.

Kanwisher, N., McDermott, J., & Chun, M. M. (1997). The fusiform face area: A module in human extrastriate cortex specialized for face perception. Journal of Neuroscience, 17(11), 4302–4311.

Rhodes, G. (2006). The evolutionary psychology of facial beauty. Annual Review of Psychology, 57, 199–226.

Valentine, T. (1991). A unified account of the effects of distinctiveness, inversion, and race in face recognition. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 43A(2), 161–204.