Table 2.

An Elaboration of Categories from DP Responses.

Category	Description	Quotes
Reliance on Extrafacial Information	DPs claimed that recognising an individual is made easier if an extrafacial cue is available for them to rely on. This included, but was not limited to, hairstyles and colour, gait, accessories and voice.	“People who have a particular characteristic – voice, size and shape, etc. are much easier [to recognise]” [DPF68] “More ‘individually looking’ people are easy. By that I mean wear unusual or distinctive clothing, characteristics e.g. very neat in dress, particular facial things e.g. type of moustache” [DPM72] “People with distinctive body shapes or very bright hair or unusual glasses or beards are easier [to recognise]. Gait is often a giveaway”. [DPF52]
Group and Social Contexts	DPs discussed experiences in which their face recognition difficulties impact, or has impacted, their behaviour in social contexts. This included, but was not limited to, avoiding introductions and names, avoiding certain social situations, appearing to be shy, or mixing people up with potentially embarrassing outcomes. These appeared to be worse for many DPs when in group settings and presented with a number of faces at one time. This included at social gatherings and parties, or when watching television or film.	“I never introduce myself to people or introduce people to each other or say anything that would only be appropriate for particular individuals.” [DPF49] “I would always call them ‘Sweetheart’ or ‘Honey’ etc. because I couldn’t be quite sure the child in front of me was the one I thought it was” [DPF54] “Trouble keeping characters or plots straight while watching movies (or for children, excessive questions about the movie)” [DPF27] “In a nursery full of babies I had no idea which was mine. As my children grew, pick up time at school was a nightmare if they didn’t see me first.” [DPF52] “I sometimes don’t even ‘see’ my own fiancé from a distance if we go to different parts of the supermarket” [DPF39]
Importance of Context	DPs highlighted the fact that their difficulties are more prominent when they are required to recognise an individual out of their normal context.	“I am sometimes still completely flummoxed when people are out of context, and this can happen with regular acquaintances. ” [DPM53] “[Difficulties are more prominent when] I’m out and about, and encountering people where they are totally unexpected” [DPF54] “Recognition is harder in supermarkets when people stop and say hello, or passing by on the street.” [DPF53]
Insight and Implications for Self-Referral	DPs discussed how people with the condition do not have insight into their difficulties (negative mentions), which causes implications for self-referral and potential diagnosis. It is worth noting here that 6 DPs (12%) stated insight is only gained when a point of comparison is available, and 15 DPs (30%) noted that insight is only gained when made aware that it is a recognised condition.	“It is only other people telling you that makes you realise the problem. I think it’s a bit like short-sightedness, you only realise you have that when someone expresses surprise that you can’t read a sign” [DPM51] “Why would it occur to someone that they see or remember other people differently? I think, like me, they probably mostly assume they are just like everyone else in the way they see and remember people but that their skills in this area are weaker” [DPF52] “You might not know what it is or what it is called, but as humans are very social beings, I think even a small child would know if they felt ‘different’ to their friends” [DPF54]
Alternative Explanations	DPs reported that they, or others, have attributed their difficulties to something else. This included, but is not limited to, thinking one was bad with names (not faces), thinking they were being rude or lazy, or believing their difficulties were due to not paying attention.	“I thought that I was just rubbish, wasn’t trying hard enough and was lazy” [DPF29] “I thought it was a social skill I hadn’t learnt due to short-sightedness as child” [DPF48] “I was seen as shy/formal/reserved as a young adult, but I am fairly relaxed and extroverted” [DPM63]

An elaboration of the categories generated through CA on DP responses. Suitable descriptions and quotations which illustrate these categories are presented.