Theoretical Difficulties of Automatic Face RecognitionExtensive research has been devoted to the development of computer algorithms, advances in automatic face recognition have led to the development of systems that work at high performance rates in a controlled setting. Although AFR computer systems do not necessarily have to mimic human face recognition processes, humans often rival the ability of computer algorithms when it comes to recognizing familiar faces, even under highly degraded conditions. So trying to understand how humans process familiar and unfamiliar faces can provide insight into why machines struggle in some cases and perhaps how they can be improved. Most computer systems strive for high-resolution details with the goal of being able to distinguish the subtle ones. differences in individual characteristics. However, even among the most advanced systems, sometimes the state of the target image becomes uncontrollably poor and the system fails. Yet evidence suggests that recognition of familiar human faces does not always succumb to this obstacle. Burton, Wilson, Cohen, and Bruce (1999) examined the recognition of familiar and unfamiliar human faces in low-quality video images. Subjects were shown low-quality video footage containing a face that the participant either knew or did not know. They were then shown high-resolution photos and asked to determine whether the people appeared in the clips. All groups scored significantly higher on seen targets than on unseen targets, but performance was significantly more accurate for the familiar group. In a later experiment, Burton et al. (1999) further studied the basis of familiar face recognition, ...... middle of paper ...... extraordinary face recognition ability. Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, 16, 252-257. Searcy, J. H. and Bartlett, J. C. (1996). Inversion and processing of component and spatio-relational information in faces. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human, Perception and Performance, 22, 904-915.Stephan, BCM and Caine, D. (2007). What's in a view? The role of feature information in the recognition of unfamiliar faces through viewpoint transformation. Perception, 36, 189-198. Tanka, J. W. and Farah, M. J. (1993). Parts and everything in facial recognition. The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 46, 225-245. Tolba, AS, El-Baz, AH and El-Harby, AA (2006). Facial recognition: a literature review. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, 19, 319-334. Yip, AW and Sinha, P. (2002). Contribution of color to face recognition. Perception, 31, 995-1003.