Final answer:
Face processing is considered "holistic" because the relationship or configuration of facial features is important for recognition. The brain recognizes faces as a whole rather than as separate parts. Face processing can be selectively impaired when a particular part of the brain is damaged. Face processing shares some properties with other expert object recognition, especially recognizing printed words (i.e., reading).
Step-by-step explanation:
Face processing is considered "holistic" because the relationship or configuration of facial features is important for recognition. The brain recognizes faces as a whole rather than as separate parts. For example, even if some facial features are covered or distorted, we can still recognize a person's face based on the overall arrangement of the features.
Research has shown that face processing can be selectively impaired when a particular part of the brain, such as the fusiform face area, is damaged. This can result in a condition called prosopagnosia, where individuals have difficulty recognizing faces.
Face processing shares some properties with other expert object recognition, such as recognizing printed words. Both processes involve dealing with complex patterns and configurations. However, face processing is unique because it is specialized for the recognition of faces.