The Relation between Computerized and Paper-and-Pencil Mental Rotation Tasks: A Validation Study

Authors: Voyer, Daniel1; Butler, Tracy2; Cordero, Juan3; Brake, Brandy1; Silbersweig, David2; Stern, Emily2; Imperato-McGinley, Julianne3

Source: Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology (Neuropsychology, Developm, Volume 28, Number 6, August 2006 , pp. 928-939(12)

Publisher: Psychology Press, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content

Abstract:

The present study aimed at validating a computerized mental rotation task developed for use in functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies. Eighty-three females and 74 males completed the computerized task, two pencil-and-paper tests of mental rotation, and reported their high school grades in mathematics, English, and history. The computerized task involved the presentation of pairs of three-dimensional stimuli that differed in orientation by 0, 40, 80, 120, or 160 degrees. Results showed significant gender differences in favor of males in the three main tasks, although gender interacted with angle of rotation in the computerized task. Evidence for concurrent validity was obtained in the form of significant correlations between performance on tasks relevant to mental rotation (paper and pencil tests and mathematics grades), whereas discriminant validity was demonstrated by a lack of correlation with tasks deemed irrelevant to mental rotation (English and history grades). These findings support the use of our computerized mental rotation task as a valid measure of mental rotation abilities in fMRI studies.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/13803390591004310

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick 2: Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Weill Medical College of Cornell University 3: Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$45.29 plus tax      Refund Policy

 

OR

Back to top

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content
Share this item with others: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Page Help Click here for Page Help
Shopping cart
Tools
Sign in






Need to register?
Sign up here
Text size: A | A | A | A