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There is the structured called the Fusiform-face area (FFA), which is located a low tempero-parietal region. In human studies, the FFA has shown to highlight strongly when you look at a human face, as opposed to any other (inanimate) object. This is what the region got its name from.

However, it is believed that the FFA is not necessarily a face area (See "Function and Controversy" on the Wiki page). Instead, researchers argue that the area is a visual expertise area. Where we, as humans, are experts in recognizing faces, zebra's, for instance, are incredibly good at distinguishing the stripes.

This even goes for within-species differences. Western people that have never worked with Chinese symbols will show little to no activation in the FFA, whereas Chinese people that use it daily will show this activation. This would also explain cross-race recognition (thanks Josh) i.e. it is easier to distinguish people from the same race then someone from different races.

With regard to your question about preferences: I don't know for sure. I have heard that people like what they know. That would imply that whatever the FFA is expert in, is more preferable to the person/animal. I have no reference, so if anyone does have some, I welcome you to edit my answer or post your own.

There is the structure called the Fusiform-face area (FFA), which is located in the low tempero-parietal region. In human studies, the FFA has shown to highlight strongly when you look at a human face, as opposed to any other (inanimate) object. This is what the region got its name from.

However, it is believed that the FFA is not necessarily a face area (See "Function and Controversy" on the Wiki page). Instead, researchers argue that the area is a visual expertise area. Where we, as humans, are experts in recognizing faces, zebras, for instance, are incredibly good at distinguishing the stripes of other zebras.

This even goes for within-species differences. Western people that have never worked with Chinese symbols will show little to no activation in the FFA, whereas Chinese people that use it daily will show this activation. This would also explain cross-race recognition (thanks Josh) i.e. it is easier to distinguish people from the same race then someone from different races.

With regard to your question about preferences: I don't know for sure. I have heard that people like what they know. That would imply that whatever the FFA is expert in, is more preferable to the person/animal. I have no reference, so if anyone does have some, I welcome you to edit my answer or post your own.

There is the structured called the Fusiform-face area (FFA), which is located a low tempero-parietal region. In human studies, the FFA has shown to highlight strongly when you look at a human face, as opposed to any other (inanimate) object. This is what the region got its name from.

However, it is believed that the FFA is not necessarily a face area (See "Function and Controversy" on the Wiki page). Instead, researchers argue that the area is a visual expertise area. Where we, as humans, are experts in recognizing faces, zebra's, for instance, are incredibly good at distinguishing the stripes.

This even goes for within-species differences. Western people that have never worked with Chinese symbols will show little to no activation in the FFA, whereas Chinese people that use it daily will show this activation. This would also explain cross-race recognition, i.e. it is easier to distinguish people from the same race then someone different races.

With regard to your question about preferences: I don't know for sure. I have heard that people like what they know. That would imply that whatever the FFA is expert in, is more preferable to the person/animal. I have no reference, so if anyone does have some, I welcome you to edit my answer or post your own.

There is the structured called the Fusiform-face area (FFA), which is located a low tempero-parietal region. In human studies, the FFA has shown to highlight strongly when you look at a human face, as opposed to any other (inanimate) object. This is what the region got its name from.

However, it is believed that the FFA is not necessarily a face area (See "Function and Controversy" on the Wiki page). Instead, researchers argue that the area is a visual expertise area. Where we, as humans, are experts in recognizing faces, zebra's, for instance, are incredibly good at distinguishing the stripes.

This even goes for within-species differences. Western people that have never worked with Chinese symbols will show little to no activation in the FFA, whereas Chinese people that use it daily will show this activation. This would also explain cross-race recognition (thanks Josh) i.e. it is easier to distinguish people from the same race then someone from different races.

With regard to your question about preferences: I don't know for sure. I have heard that people like what they know. That would imply that whatever the FFA is expert in, is more preferable to the person/animal. I have no reference, so if anyone does have some, I welcome you to edit my answer or post your own.

There is the structured called the Fusiform-face area (FFA), which is located a low tempero-parietal region. In human studies, the FFA has shown to highlight strongly when you look at a human face, as opposed to any other (inanimate) object. This is what the region got its name from.

However, it is believed that the FFA is not necessarily a face area (See "Function and Controversy" on the Wiki page). Instead, researchers argue that the area is a visual expertise area. Where we, as humans, are experts in recognizing faces, zebra's, for instance, are incredibly good at distinguishing the stripes.

This even goes for within-species differences. Western people that have never worked with Chinese symbols will show little to no activation in the FFA, whereas Chinese people that use it daily will show this activation. At this point I am hypothesizing: this may even have some effect on racial recognition. For western people, "all Chinese look the same" (anecdotal knowledge, don't know if there is proof). This may also be the result of the expertise of the FFA.

With regard to your question about preferences: I don't know for sure. I have heard that people like what they know. That would imply that whatever the FFA is expert in, is more preferable to the person/animal. I have no reference, so if anyone does have some, I welcome you to edit my answer or post your own.

There is the structured called the Fusiform-face area (FFA), which is located a low tempero-parietal region. In human studies, the FFA has shown to highlight strongly when you look at a human face, as opposed to any other (inanimate) object. This is what the region got its name from.

However, it is believed that the FFA is not necessarily a face area (See "Function and Controversy" on the Wiki page). Instead, researchers argue that the area is a visual expertise area. Where we, as humans, are experts in recognizing faces, zebra's, for instance, are incredibly good at distinguishing the stripes.

This even goes for within-species differences. Western people that have never worked with Chinese symbols will show little to no activation in the FFA, whereas Chinese people that use it daily will show this activation. This would also explain cross-race recognition, i.e. it is easier to distinguish people from the same race then someone different races.

With regard to your question about preferences: I don't know for sure. I have heard that people like what they know. That would imply that whatever the FFA is expert in, is more preferable to the person/animal. I have no reference, so if anyone does have some, I welcome you to edit my answer or post your own.