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Scientists Discover Why People Better With Faces Than Names

telegraph.co.uk — The reason why some people are better with faces than names has been identified by scientists and it appears to be due to their higher levels of a special "socialising" hormone called Oxytocin.

Who dugg this? Made popular Jan 7, 2009

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  • vinceislegend, on 01/07/2009, -1/+47I better with faces too.
  • somedudemanguy, on 01/07/2009, -2/+36anyone else read oxycontin in the description?
  • Hercules, on 01/07/2009, -0/+20Obviously they haven't discovered why Digg submitters can't use proper grammar.
  • BenTheTank, on 01/07/2009, -3/+13I recognize faces better than names because a face is who someone is, a name is just a collection of letters arranged on a birth certificate. My name is Ben - and that says absolutely nothing about me.

    Can these scientists work on curing cancer or finding alternative energy sources now?
  • Grinty, on 01/07/2009, -4/+13I accidentally the whole face...
  • iamstudip, on 01/07/2009, -0/+9Some people have weird names that are hard to remember such as *click* beelay.
  • AtomicTheory, on 01/07/2009, -0/+7If only scientists could discover a type of verb that doesn't necessarily have action, but could be used for linking words together. Then maybe the title wouldn't sound as if written by a caveman.
  • Seela, on 01/07/2009, -1/+8Scientists Discover Why People Not Good At Grammar
  • jotux, on 01/07/2009, -0/+7Sir, please do not yell in the casino.
  • jotux, on 01/07/2009, -0/+6His name is Robert Paulsen.
  • JanK1, on 01/07/2009, -1/+6!Xobile
  • the2989, on 01/07/2009, -0/+4I suppose that the hormone is greatly reduced while drinking? I never remember peoples' faces if I meet them while hammered.
  • partysan, on 01/07/2009, -2/+6Hulk smash!
  • djodorg, on 01/07/2009, -2/+5Digged.
  • fragileKnight, on 01/07/2009, -1/+4how abt this - "A picture is more than a million words", when you see a face its image acts like a picture and you stand a more likely chance of recognizing it
  • ZincSaucier, on 01/07/2009, -0/+3the article looks like it was written by a 3 year old
  • ZincSaucier, on 01/07/2009, -0/+3wow and you even speak their language!
  • drewbe121212, on 01/07/2009, -0/+3His name is Robert Paulsen.
  • PeanutCheeseBar, on 01/07/2009, -0/+3His name is Robert Paulsen.
  • Godlike, on 01/07/2009, -0/+3Some drugs have names like Oxytocin that sounds like the ultimate combo of oxys and pot.
  • inactive, on 01/07/2009, -0/+2Also, 4 out of 5 scientists still leaves 1 scientist.

  • Specializedone, on 01/08/2009, -0/+2Right, because understanding how the body works is second rate science as compared to curing cancer and alternative energy sources. You're comparing apples to oranges.
  • Mujokan, on 01/07/2009, -0/+2What's up with articles written on scientific discoveries from months ago being reported in the Telegraph, then making it to the front page of Digg due to users with really high "made popular" counts?

    Reported in Science Daily back in July. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/08072 ...

    Previous example from same Digger: Science Daily article from the start of 2008, posted eleven days ago. http://digg.com/general_sciences/Men_Enjoy_Compute ...
  • ileftfark, on 01/07/2009, -0/+2They need to do way instain mother>
  • EnergyEinstein, on 01/07/2009, -0/+2That felt like a badly written article... Anyone else?
  • LtGenPanda, on 01/07/2009, -2/+4If safe - wow ! This hormone could impact lives of many people with memory oriented disorders.
  • importfr87, on 01/07/2009, -0/+2yup
  • MalarkeyPN, on 01/07/2009, -0/+2who kill thier babbys. becuse these babby cant frigth back?
  • justjoehere, on 01/07/2009, -0/+2yes
  • MrAsparagus, on 01/07/2009, -0/+2Yes. You Filthy Druggies.
  • MalarkeyPN, on 01/07/2009, -0/+2FTA:

    "The findings are the first time to shown the hormone in important in helping to remember social interaction. "

    Yeah, I'd say that's pretty bad for a supposedly mainstream news source.
  • Duffy27, on 01/07/2009, -0/+2guilty
  • mparker21311, on 01/07/2009, -0/+2That's what she said
  • ell0bo, on 01/07/2009, -0/+2I wanna know what hormone makes females all pissy that I can't remember their name after they told me one time while I was drunk.
  • sirch, on 01/07/2009, -0/+2Tired of hearing about hormone oxytocin. In college, spray some on yourself, go to party, attract chicks. This is totally bs. Oxytocin blah blah blah
  • Specializedone, on 01/08/2009, -0/+1Not to mention is needs a qualifier. Oxytocin has long been known to increase social recognition and up regulate pair-bonding in lab animals.
  • dawnraid101, on 01/09/2009, -0/+1No just a General FAIL! on your behalf
  • Specializedone, on 01/08/2009, -0/+1Yeah, if you want it to work, you have to it into the air in large enough amounts to make it have an effect. Even then, it will just make them trust everything more. So you'd still have to compete with every other male. Oxytocin doesn't make you more attractive to the opposite sex.
  • Specializedone, on 01/08/2009, -0/+1Which may or may not have effects on the newborn.
  • ZephyrNinety, on 01/09/2009, -0/+1It's easier to remember a picture than a filename.
  • seobro, on 01/07/2009, -0/+1Faces tell me a lot about the person. Not just age and race, but their place in society.
  • Specializedone, on 01/08/2009, -0/+1Oxytocin is a hormone that has been implicated in many types of social behaviors ranging from trust to social recognition.

    It makes sense though, Oxytocin has long been known to play a role in social recognition in lab animals ranging from mice to rats to prairie voles. Very cool stuff and nice to know that once again, animal research showed identical results and is a viable form of research. Eat it PETA.
  • inactive, on 01/07/2009, -0/+1You are exceptionally good at earning cookies.
  • drewbe121212, on 01/07/2009, -0/+1So what does it mean about me when I am exceptionally good at remembering not only the faces, but the name that goes along with it?
  • maestroh, on 01/07/2009, -0/+1I had some oxytocin last night.. mmmmmm....
  • valmira, on 01/07/2009, -0/+1"If safe - wow!"
    They have been using it to induce labor for years.
  • MalarkeyPN, on 01/07/2009, -0/+1Yeah and if he'd wanted to change his name he would have had to *gasp* fill out a form!

    Of course, he would have been arrested if he tried to turn it in, so in bin Laden's case it probably is easier to change the face than the name...
  • AutoTom, on 01/09/2009, -0/+1next up: scientists discover why people bad grammar with digg than reddit
  • UsmanB87, on 01/10/2009, -0/+1I don't know what other meaning you have if I am not to take your comment literally Ben but this study has significance since there maybe individuals who have an Oxytocin deficiency and being able to diagnose and treat the condition may dramatically improve their health socially.
  • Ramenhood, on 01/09/2009, -0/+1That's what I thought it said before you said that and made me check again.
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