prosopagnosia
Pronunciation: pros-oh-pag-NO-zee-ah
Inability to recognize familiar faces despite intact vision and general object recognition abilities.
Full Definition
Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, is a neurological condition characterized by the inability to recognize familiar faces, including those of family members, friends, or even one's own reflection, despite normal visual acuity and preserved recognition of other objects. This condition can be congenital (developmental prosopagnosia) or acquired through brain injury, particularly affecting the fusiform face area and other regions of the temporal-occipital cortex. Individuals with prosopagnosia often rely on alternative cues such as voice, gait, or distinctive features to identify people.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from general visual agnosia, which affects object recognition more broadly.
In Context
- "The patient's prosopagnosia was so severe that she could not recognize her husband's face without hearing his voice." — case study documentation