Solution strategies as possible explanations of individual and sex differences in a dynamic spatial task

When individuals perform spatial tasks, individual differences emerge in accuracy and speed as well as in the response patterns used to cope with the task. The purpose of this study is to identify, through empirical criteria, the different response patterns or strategies used by individuals when per...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta psychologica 2008-05, Vol.128 (1), p.1-14
Main Authors: Peña, Daniel, Contreras, María José, Shih, Pei Chun, Santacreu, José
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abilities’ tests
Adult
Aptitude
Aptitude Tests
Biological and medical sciences
Cluster Analysis
Cognition. Intelligence
Dynamic spatial ability
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Male
Multivariate Analysis
Orientation
Performance factors
Problem Solving
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Reaction Time
Sex Characteristics
Sex differences
Solution strategies
Space Perception
Spatial perception. Time perception
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Summary:When individuals perform spatial tasks, individual differences emerge in accuracy and speed as well as in the response patterns used to cope with the task. The purpose of this study is to identify, through empirical criteria, the different response patterns or strategies used by individuals when performing the dynamic spatial task presented in the Spatial Orientation Dynamic Test-Revised (SODT-R). Results show that participants can be classified according to their response patterns. Three different ways of solving a task are described, and their relation to (a) performance factors (response latency, response frequency, and invested time) and (b) ability tests (analytical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and spatial estimation) are investigated. Sex differences in response patterns and performance are also analyzed. It is found that the frequency with which men and women employ each one of the strategies described here, is different and statistically significant. Thus, employed strategy plays an important role when interpreting sex differences on dynamic spatial tasks.
ISSN:0001-6918
1873-6297
DOI:10.1016/j.actpsy.2007.09.005