Use of spatial transformations and reference frames: individual differences in spatial ability

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Title Use of spatial transformations and reference frames: individual differences in spatial ability
Publication Type dissertation
School or College College of Social & Behavioral Science
Department Psychology
Author Tarampi, Margaret Romaine
Date 2013-08
Description The use of spatial transformations is ubiquitous in everyday cognitive processing from reading maps to planning actions to reasoning. Use and proficiency in spatial transformations may vary based on both spatial ability and spatial expertise. Spatial ability is the ability to create, maintain, and transform visual imagery. Spatial expertise is knowledge, skills, or characteristics related to spatial thinking that can be used to differentiate outstanding individuals from less outstanding individuals. Three classes of spatial transformations-object-based (i.e., object rotation), perspective-based (i.e., body rotation), and effector-based (i.e., body-part rotation)-and their relationship to three spatial abilities-spatial orientation, spatial visualization, and kinesthetic imagery-were examined. Participants (controls and dancers) completed psychometric tests predicted to recruit the three spatial ability factors. They also performed timed computer-based spatial transformations of bodies and body-parts in two types of tasks (same/different and left/right). Overall, performance on the transformations as a function of task type and stimulus was predicted differentially by the three spatial ability factors. This suggests that three distinct processes are involved. Furthermore, dancer performance on the transformation tasks suggested more dynamic versus static processing of stimuli than controls.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Dance; Expertise; Individual differences; Spatial ability; Spatial thinking; Spatial transformations
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name Doctor of Philosophy
Language eng
Rights Management Copyright © Margaret Romaine Tarampi 2013
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 1,662,444 Bytes
Identifier etd3/id/3475
ARK ark:/87278/s6dn7d9f
Setname ir_etd
ID 197029
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6dn7d9f
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