Abstract
Expertise with unfamiliar objects ('greebles') recruits face-selective
areas in the fusiform gyrus (FFA) and occipital lobe (OFA). Here
we extend this finding to other homogeneous categories. Bird and
car experts were tested with functional magnetic resonance imaging
during tasks with faces, familiar objects, cars and birds. Homogeneous
categories activated the FFA more than familiar objects. Moreover,
the right FFA and OFA showed significant expertise effects. An independent
behavioral test of expertise predicted relative activation in the
right FFA for birds versus cars within each group. The results suggest
that level of categorization and expertise, rather than superficial
properties of objects, determine the specialization of the FFA.
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