Implicit processing of other race faces: an event-related potential study

The aim of the present study was to investigate the neural correlates and the time course of implicit processing of "other race" faces. To this end, we utilized a masked priming paradigm, using a prime duration of 33 ms. Two types of prime-target pairs were used: 1. Congruent (prime and target were identical faces); 2. Incongruent (prime and target were different faces). Half prime-target pairs were Asians and half Caucasians. The faces on each pair belonged to the same race and gender. The task of the participants (all Caucasians) was to indicate whether the target face was female or male. The evented-related potential (ERP) results indicated an automatic other race effect across all ERP components analyzed (P1, N170, N250, P3) and a congruency/priming effect on late components (N250, P3). The congruency/priming effect was larger for Asian faces, showing a greater difficulty to process faces belonging to another race.