Research suggests that even popular faces are hard to recognize in crowd

A new study has suggested that multiple face recognition is difficult for a person in a place full of people, regardless of how many renowned faces are there.

Volker Thoma of the University of East London found that people have the adequate capability to distinguish faces automatically, but not when this ability is extended by the presence of too many faces.

The article sheds light on people's ability to process faces and shows that face recognition is limited to the amount of face-specific resources or parts, and even happens when other faces are shown upside down.

The results could play a vital role in eye-witness testimony or for neuropsychological rehabilitation.

The study was published in Springer's journal Psychonomic Bulletin and Review.