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Mapping out spatial ability: sex differences in way-finding navigation
Isabelle D Cherney1, Claire M Brabec, Daniel V Runco
1Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA. cherneyi@creighton.edu
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|February 25, 2009
Summary
Spatial perception is influenced by navigation and map skills. Sex differences in spatial tasks disappear when considering self-perceived navigational abilities and strategies, suggesting these skills are key factors.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Spatial Cognition
- Human Geography
Background:
- Spatial perception is crucial for navigation and environmental understanding.
- Previous research has shown sex differences in spatial tasks.
- Navigational strategies and map-related skills are hypothesized to influence spatial performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between navigational strategies, map drawing, and map reading skills in spatial perception.
- To determine if sex differences in spatial perception can be explained by differences in these skills.
- To explore the impact of fine motor skills on spatial perception tasks.
Main Methods:
- 124 U.S. undergraduate men and women participated.
- Participants completed two spatial tests: Judgment of Line Angle and Position-15 and Piaget's Water Level Test.
- Self-perceptions of navigational, map drawing, and map reading skills were assessed and used as covariates.
Main Results:
- Sex differences in spatial perception performance were eliminated when self-perceptions of map reading, map drawing, and navigational skills were statistically controlled.
- Men predominantly used an orientation (cardinal) strategy, while women employed a landmark way-finding strategy.
- Including a fine motor skill component in the Judgment of Line Angle and Position-15 test also eliminated the observed sex difference.
Conclusions:
- Spatial perception is significantly influenced by map reading and way-finding strategies.
- Self-perceptions of spatial skills play a critical role in mediating performance differences, including those related to sex.
- Interventions focusing on navigational strategies and map skills may enhance spatial perception for all individuals.
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