Inferring cross sections of 3D objects: A new spatial thinking test |
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| Authors: | Cheryl A Cohen Mary Hegarty |
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| Institution: | 1. Northwestern University, United States;2. University of California, Santa Barbara, United States;1. Pennsylvania State University, 226 Cedar Bldg., University Park, PA 16803, USA;2. Pennsylvania State University, 125 Cedar Bldg., University Park, PA 16803, USA;3. Pennsylvania State University, 208 Mueller Laboratory, University Park, PA 16803, USA;1. Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA;2. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA;1. Perm State University, The Laboratory of Applied and Experimental Linguistic Research, 15, ulitsa Bukireva, Perm, 614990, Russian Federation;2. Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Perm State University, Russian Federation;3. Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics, Perm State University, Russian Federation;4. Department of Romance and Germanic Philology and Methods of Language Teaching, Orenburg State Pedagogical University, Russian Federation;5. Department of the Foreign Languages, Bashkir State University, Russian Federation;1. Department of Psychology, Koç University, Turkey;2. Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, United States;3. Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, United States;4. Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, United States;1. Trinity College Dublin, Ireland;2. Temple University, United States |
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| Abstract: | A new spatial ability test was administered online to 223 undergraduate students enrolled in introductory science courses. The 30-item multiple choice test measures individual differences in ability to identify the two-dimensional cross section of a three-dimensional geometric solid, a skill that has been identified as important in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Bivariate and partial correlations suggest that the test measures a skill that is distinct from three-dimensional mental rotation and change in view perspective. Test items varied along two scales: complexity of the geometric solid to be sliced and orientation of the cutting plane. Internal reliability of both the overall test and its subscales was satisfactory. Performance was higher on figures cut by orthogonal, rather than oblique, planes. Patterns of performance across more and less complex items, and patterns of sex differences on these items, suggest that items on the test are differentially amenable to imagistic and analytic strategies, with males outperforming females on items that are less amenable to analytic strategies. The test shows promise for online administration and for adaptation to younger populations. |
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