Dimensions and Components of Individual Differences in Spatial Abilities

The goal of this chapter is to review advances in the study of individual differences in spatial abilities and to consider some of the practical implications of this work. There are many reasons for the study of spatial cognition in general and spatial ability in particular. First, it is of theoretical and practical significance to understand how individuals represent the physical world in which they operate. Evidence exists for a theoretical separation of spatial representations and semantic representations. Second, there is a substantial literature suggesting the existence of several spatial abilities which are differentiable from general ability and from verbal abilities. Third, there appear to be important sex differences in some spatial abilities. Fourth, measures of spatial ability frequently add unique variance to the prediction of performance in certain courses such as engineering design or graphics and occupations such as mechanic, architect, or pilot.

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