Spatial visualizing in children

Conducted 4 experiments on visualization of space in 108 2nd and 11th graders and undergraduates, 102 4-5, 6-7, and 9-10 yr olds, and 30 kindergartners and 3rd and 6th graders. Exp I used a localization task, and evidence was found that both children and adults spontaneously visualize their unseen h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Developmental psychology 1975-01, Vol.11 (1), p.4-13
Main Authors: Smothergill, Daniel W, Hughes, Fergus P, Timmons, Stephen A, Hutko, Paul
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cognitive Development
Cognitive Processes
Human
Imagery
Perceptual Development
Spatial Perception
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Summary:Conducted 4 experiments on visualization of space in 108 2nd and 11th graders and undergraduates, 102 4-5, 6-7, and 9-10 yr olds, and 30 kindergartners and 3rd and 6th graders. Exp I used a localization task, and evidence was found that both children and adults spontaneously visualize their unseen hand when it is touched. In the remaining 3 experiments, S was required to manipulate spatial information mentally. Results show that (a) preelementary school children did not carry out such manipulations and responded instead to the topological properties of the problem; (b) elementary school children were increasingly more skilled at mental manipulation with age; and (c) the ability to manipulate spatial images correlated with performance on a test of spatial visualization, particularly in older elementary school children. (22 ref)
ISSN:0012-1649
1939-0599
DOI:10.1037/h0076121