Three experiments involved imagining the result of either an array rotating relative to a fixed viewer or a viewer rotating relative to a fixed array. The data suggested that adults use literal, concrete strategies to solve these problems. (Author/PN)

Investigates if instruction in spatial visualization has different delayed effects on boys and girls, and whether girls and boys comparably retain spatial skills over time developed through instruction. Results indicate instruction for both sexes can improve spatial visualization abilities, with no sex differences found in learning or retention.…

Compared lateral preference patterns for normal and learning-disabled children. Results indicated that learning-disabled children were more bilateral on factors involving visually fine motor activity, listening, and fine motor foot preference. Also studied the verbal-spatial abilities of learning-disabled children classified as normal or…

This article briefly looks at research into three of the ways in which the arts promote cognitive development--through the use of fantasy, the use of imagery, and the use of a variety of media. This research indicates that retaining the arts in education is essential. (Author/SJL)

Results suggested that when role taking is viewed as requiring a shift to less subjective views, different types of role-taking skills (communicative, spatial, relational, and cognitive) are moderately related. Results also indicated intellectual ability underlies these role-taking skills. (Author/DB)

This article describes a study concerning temporary territories in public settings. Implications of the results for territorial typologies, animal-human territorial differences, and future research on human territoriality are outlined. (Author/SA)

In Study 1, upper-division university students took the Witkin Group Embedded Figures Test. Neither race nor sex differences were found. In Study 2, Black and Euro-American freshmen completed that test, a modified Kohs Black Design Test, and the WAIS Picture Completion Test. Racial differences on embedded figures appeared. (Author/SJL)

In two experiments, students were shown a visual display and then a related text passage, or vice versa, to determine which condition improved recall. Results with 100 undergraduates and 112 middle school students supported the expected outcome of improved recall when the display preceded the text. (SLD)

Investigated the development of reorientation abilities in humans in contrast to other mammals. Findings support the domain specificity of human's core cognitive abilities, the conservation of cognitive abilities across related species and over the course of human development, and the developmental processes by which core abilities are extended to…

Examines the influence of sign language structures on the spontaneous use of time and space markers in French and French Sign Language. The study compared the use of nonspatialized utterances and spatialized structures of deaf and hearing children, adolescents, and adults. Findings shed light on the different types of errors in understanding. (17…

Investigates the relationship between working memory (WM) capacity (particularly visuo-spatial working memory (VSWM)), the ability to mentally rotate three-dimensional objects, and mathematical skills. Explains that in experiment 1, VSWM was examined; and in experiment 2, contributions of other WM components to mathematical skills was examined.…

Examines the impact of computer animations that illustrate chemical reactions occurring inside a battery on students enrolled in a college introductory chemistry course. Implies that instructor-guided animations may help students acquire a better understanding of targeted chemistry concepts, and that the relationship between narration, spatial…

Discusses variables related to task performance in the solution of the water-level problem, where subjects were asked to indicate the water surface orientation in a tilted vessel. Subjects ages 7 to 15 years participated. Suggests that field effects and the kind of rules in use contribute to the differences in performance, which can be shown even…

Notes Halpern's general support for Casey's model. Addresses differences in Casey's and McKeever's findings on familial handedness and females' spatial ability by performing another experiment in which data are analyzed according to two different theoretical assumptions. Addresses the question of the heritability of handedness by noting that what…

Describes two activities involving sorting, counting, and determining relationships that use sameness and difference, spatial skills, pattern identification, number bonds, and generalization. (DDR)