Sex differences in mental rotation: the role of stereotyped material, perceived performance and extrinsic spatial ability

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Martina Rahe ◽  
Petra Jansen
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Mental Rotation ◽  
Spatial Ability ◽  
Perceived Performance

Sex Differences in Mental Rotation Performance Through Holding Weights By the Hands

2020 ◽  
pp. 027623662095233
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Muto ◽  
Soyogu Matsushita ◽  
Kazunori Morikawa
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Embodied Cognition ◽  
Mental Rotation ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Error Rates ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Mental Rotation Task ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Sensorimotor Processes

Mental rotation is known to be mediated by sensorimotor processes. To deepen our understanding of the role of somatosensory inputs in mental rotation, we investigated the effects of holding weight by the hands on mental rotation performance. In an experiment, 22 male and 22 female students performed a chronometric mental rotation task while holding either light or heavy bags in both hands. Results showed that females holding heavy bags were quicker and more accurate at mental rotation than females holding light bags, as evidenced by shallower slopes for response times (RTs) and error rates. In contrast, males showed no such heavy-bag-induced improvement. Unlike slopes, intercepts for RTs and error rates were equivalent regardless of sex and bag weight. Consistent with previous research on embodied cognition, the present findings demonstrated the facilitatory role of somatosensory cues by weight in mental rotation and suggested sex differences in embodied processes in mental rotation.

Spatial Task Performance, Sex Differences, and Motion Sickness Susceptibility

2002 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 425-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max E. Levine ◽  
Robert M. Stern
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Mental Rotation ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Motion Sickness ◽  
Spatial Ability ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Spatial Task ◽  
Mental Rotation Task ◽  
Questionnaire Score

There are substantial individual differences in susceptibility to motion sickness, yet little is known about what mediates these differences. Spatial ability and sex have been suggested as possible factors in this relationship. 89 participants (57 women) were administered a Motion Sickness Questionnaire that assesses motion sickness susceptibility, a Water-level Task that gauges sensitivity to gravitational upright, and a mental Rotation Task that tests an individual's awareness of how objects typically move in space. Significant sex differences were observed in performance of both the Water-level Task ( p<.01), and the Mental Rotation Task ( p<.005), with women performing less accurately than men. Women also had significantly higher scores on the Motion Sickness Questionnaire ( p<.005) Among men, but not women, significant negative relationships were observed between Water-level Task performance and Motion Sickness Questionnaire score ( p<.001) and between Mental Rotation Task performance and Motion Sickness Questionnaire score ( p<.005). In conclusion, women performed significantly more poorly than men did on the spatial ability tasks and reported significantly more bouts of motion sickness. In audition, men showed a significant negative relationship between spatial ability and motion sickness susceptibility.

Spatial Ability in Children's Play with Lego Blocks

1998 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Brosnan
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Mental Rotation ◽  
Spatial Ability ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Model ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Children's Play ◽  
Children’S Play

Sex differences in spatial ability have been argued to originate from sex differences in children's play preferences. Child (30 boys and 20 girls) were asked to construct a specific three-dimensional model using Lego blocks and were also given the Shepard and Metzler test of mental rotation. Those who completed the Lego model scored significantly higher in spatial ability than those who did not. Constructional ability was also related to errors made during the construction of the model, but spatial ability was the best predictor of completion of the model.

scholarly journals Sex differences in visual-spatial ability: The role of performance factors

1990 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 546-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Goldstein ◽  
Diane Haldane ◽  
Carolyn Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Spatial Ability ◽  
Performance Factors ◽  
Visual Spatial

Subgroup Analysis of Sex Difference on the Vandenberg-Kuse Mental Rotation Test

2003 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 197-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kázmér Karádi ◽  
Árpád Csathó ◽  
Beatrix Kovács ◽  
Péter Kosztolányi
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Mental Rotation ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Spatial Ability ◽  
Subgroup Analysis ◽  
Mental Rotation Test ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Large Sample ◽  
Rotation Test ◽  
The Mean

A large sex difference has been elicited on the Vandenberg-Kuse mental rotation test. Prior research emphasizes the biological root of this sex difference. In recent experiments we confirmed this viewpoint. A large sample was administered the test, and the distributions of scores for men and women ( N = 138; 68 men and 70 women; ages 19 to 23 years). The mean scores were used as cut-off points to group the men and the women in different subgroups (Low/Women, High/Women, Low/Men, High/Men). There were large differences among all subgroups, reinforcing Kimura's testosterone hypothesis for sex differences in spatial ability.

Ocular Dominance, Cognitive Strategy, and Sex Differences in Spatial Ability

1981 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 651-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Jackaway Freedman ◽  
Lisa Rovegno
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Mental Rotation ◽  
Spatial Ability ◽  
Ocular Dominance ◽  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Cognitive Strategy ◽  
Mental Rotation Test ◽  
Rotation Test ◽  
Left Handed ◽  
Female Subjects

Ocular dominance, handedness, and cognitive strategy were assessed in relation to performance by 146 undergraduates on the Vandenberg Mental Rotation Test. Higher spatial scores were found for right-eyed subjects, right-handed subjects, and males. These higher scoring groups reported using similar cognitive strategies. They counted blocks less, used their hands less, and pictured in their minds more than the left-eyed, left-handed and female subjects. Results confirm previous findings.

Explaining sex differences in mental rotation: role of spatial activity experience

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alina Nazareth ◽  
Asiel Herrera ◽  
Shannon M. Pruden
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Mental Rotation ◽  
Spatial Activity

Mental Rotation Test Performance in Four Cross-Cultural Samples (N = 3367): Overall Sex Differences and the Role of Academic Program in Performance

Cortex ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 1005-1014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Peters ◽  
Wolfgang Lehmann ◽  
Sayuri Takahira ◽  
Yoshiaki Takeuchi ◽  
Kirsten Jordan
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Mental Rotation ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Academic Program ◽  
Mental Rotation Test ◽  
Rotation Test

scholarly journals The role of the KIBRA and APOE genes in developing spatial abilities in humans

2022 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 839-846
Author(s):  
A. V. Kazantseva ◽  
R. F. Enikeeva ◽  
Yu. D. Davydova ◽  
R. N. Mustafin ◽  
Z. R. Takhirova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Mental Rotation ◽  
Spatial Ability ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Spatial Abilities ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Gene Environment

In the contemporary high-tech society, spatial abilities predict individual life and professional success, especially in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines. According to neurobiological hypotheses, individual differences in cognitive abilities may be attributed to the functioning of genes involved in the regulation of neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. In addition, genome-wide association studies identified rs17070145 located in the KIBRA gene, which was associated with individual differences in episodic memory. Considering a significant role of genetic and environmental components in cognitive functioning, the present study aimed to estimate the main effect of NGF (rs6330), NRXN1 (rs1045881, rs4971648), KIBRA (rs17070145), NRG1 (rs6994992), BDNF (rs6265), GRIN2B (rs3764030), APOE (rs7412, rs429358), and SNAP25 (rs363050) gene polymorphisms and to assess the effect of gene-environment interactions on individual differences in spatial ability in individuals without cognitive decline aged 18–25 years (N = 1011, 80 % women). Spatial abilities were measured using a battery of cognitive tests including the assessment of “3D shape rotation” (mental rotation). Multiple regression analysis, which was carried out in the total sample controlling for sex, ethnicity and the presence of the “risk” APOE ε4 allele, demonstrated the association of the rs17070145 Т-allele in the KIBRA gene with enhanced spatial ability (β = 1.32; pFDR = 0.037) compared to carriers of the rs17070145 CC-genotype. The analysis of gene-environment interactions revealed that nicotine smoking (β = 3.74; p = 0.010) and urban/rural residency in childhood (β = –6.94; p = 0.0002) modulated the association of KIBRA rs17070145 and АРОЕ (rs7412, rs429358) gene variants with individual differences in mental rotation, respectively. The data obtained confirm the effect of the KIBRA rs17070145 Т-allele on improved cognitive functioning and for the first time evidence the association of the mentioned genetic variant with spatial abilities in humans. A “protective” effect of the APOE ε2 allele on enhanced cognitive functioning is observed only under certain conditions related to childhood rearing.

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