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Sex differences on a computerized mental rotation task disappear with computer familiarization.

J E Roberts1, M A Bell

  • 1Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blackburg 24061, USA. jorober5@vt.edu

Perceptual and Motor Skills
|February 24, 2001
PubMed
Summary
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Computer familiarization, not mental rotation skill, may explain sex differences in spatial ability tasks. Men performed better on rotation tasks alone, but familiarization eliminated gender differences in performance.

Area of Science:

  • Cognitive psychology
  • Spatial cognition research

Background:

  • Consistent sex differences are observed in spatial ability.
  • Men typically outperform women on mental rotation tasks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of computer familiarization on sex differences in a 2D mental rotation task.
  • To determine if computer experience mediates performance disparities.

Main Methods:

  • Two groups of college students (N=44) completed a computerized 2D mental rotation task.
  • One group received computer familiarization via a color-matching task prior to the rotation task.

Main Results:

  • In the group without familiarization, men (n=11) outperformed women (n=11).
  • In the group with familiarization, no significant sex differences were found between men (n=10) and women (n=12).

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Conclusions:

  • Sex differences in this 2D mental rotation task may be attributed to computer familiarization rather than inherent spatial ability.
  • Further research with larger samples and varied task difficulties is recommended.