Sheep Can Recognize Human Faces

Sheep Can Recognize Human Faces

Vocabulary

neurodegenerative

Adjective

ˌnjʊərəʊdɪˈdʒenərətɪv

disorders in which the brain/nerve function is progressively lost

Parkinson's disease is a type of neurodegenerative disorder.'

infrared

Adjective

ˌɪnfrəˈred

a wavelength of radiation that is outside the visible spectrum

Infrared radiation is not harmful for humans.

beam

Noun

biːm

a ray of light or energy

The flashlight beam blinded me.

treat

Noun

triːt

a prize or reward

Here's a treat for doing as you are told.

angle

Noun

ˈæŋəl

a measurement of the space between two lines that meet at a point

We learned about right angles in math class.

+

nostrils  

sense of vision 

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Article

Sheep Can Recognize Human Faces

University of Cambridge scientists have trained sheep to recognize the faces of famous people.

The scientists hope facial recognition may help with their understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.

The researchers showed the sheep pictures of people on two computer screens. One screen had an unknown person and the other had one of four famous people.

The animals were given food for choosing the photograph of the famous person. They chose the correct photograph by breaking an infrared beam near the flat surface showing the photo.

If they chose the wrong image, an electric signaling device would make a sound, and the sheep would receive no treat.

The sheep eventually were able to identify the famous face eight times out of every ten tries.

The group of famous personalities included actors Emma Watson and Jake Gyllenhaal, and former American president Barack Obama.

Professor Jenny Morton was the leader of the study. "We've shown that sheep have advanced face-recognition abilities, comparable with those of humans and monkeys," she noted.

The sheep were less successful when presented with the faces at a new angle or from a different direction. However, the researchers said the performance of the animals on this test was similar to the levels seen when humans took the test.

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Questions

1.How did the sheep choose the correct answer?

2.What happened if the sheep chose the wrong image?

3.According to Professor Jenny Morton, what did the study show?

Discussion

1.What are your thoughts on the results of this study?

2.Are you surprised that face-recognition abilities of sheep are "comparable with those of humans"? Why? Why not?

3.Do you imagine many other animal species also have "well-developed face-recognition abilities"? Why do you think so?

4.Where do you stand on the use of animals in medical research? Please explain your answer.

5.In your opinion, what industries could benefit from face-recognition technology? Please explain your answer.

Further Discussion

1.Do you ever struggle to remember faces? Why do you think this is the case?

2.Do you find it more difficult to remember faces or names? Why?

3.What do you imagine are the most common problems people who cant recognize faces struggle with on a day-to-day basis?

4.Do you expect neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's to be curable in the near future? Why? Why not?

5.Do you keep up to date with advances in medical technology? Why? Why not?