The effect of perceptual speed on performance and paper-and-pencil measures of spatial ability is examined. Perceptual speed is defined as speed in comparing figures or symbols, scanning to find figures or symbols, or carrying out other very simple tasks involving visual perception. It was hypothesized that perceptual speed would have more…

This study used a variation of Piaget and Inhelder's water level task and several cognitive complexity measures to test the predictions that cognitive complexity would relate positively to performance of the water level task and that males would perform better. The predictions were confirmed. Correlations for males and females differed.…

Two spatial visualization tests were administered to 142 students before and after two years of college study. Students majoring in the humanities and social sciences improved less than those majoring in mathematics and the physical sciences. Female physical science majors improved more than male physical science majors. (Author/RD)

The meta analysis reported in this paper considers the implications of combined correlational evidence for the nature of the relationships of mathematical and spatial skills, and for the possibility that spatial skill underlies gender differences in favor of males on mathematical tasks. In all, 136 studies reported in 116 articles and…

Meta-analytic results reported show that in selected examples, mathematics-space correlations are higher in females than in males, with the difference becoming more pronounced with greater selectivity. Because these samples are of gifted or college-bound youth, explanations that emphasize career-directed attitudes are suggested. (SLD)

Sex differences in spatial visualization ability accounted for sex differences in mathematical ability for a group of college students. With spatial visualization statistically controlled, no significant sex differences in Quantitative Scholastic Aptitude Test scores were found. Males were more predictable than females due to higher spatial…

This study examined the construct validity of the Rod and Frame Test (RFT). Subjects were 554 clients (269 males and 285 females) (aged 14 to 65 years) of the Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation (JOCRF), a vocational guidance service. In a battery of diverse ability and style tests (19 tests of the JOCRF battery and 4 tests of cognitive style),…

This study of undergraduate and graduate students examined the potential relationship between spatial aptitude and videogame use to: (1) determine relationship between scoring ability on videogames and spatial aptitude as defined by standardized tests; (2) explore potential gender differences; and (3) examine effects of videogames practice on…

Investigates two questions: (1) the sex-related differences in Landsat Mastery, road map reading, and map drawing among adolescents and (2) the relationship between spatial ability and mapping skills. Replicates significantly lower female performance on parts of the Landsat tasks. Concludes that spatial ability correlations with mapping are too…