Effects of Culture and Training on Perceptual Learning Style and Spatial Task Performance in Apparel Design

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of culture and training on preferred perceptual learning style and performance of spatial tasks in apparel design. Participants were 88 U.S. and 97 Swazi university students enrolled in apparel design courses. To measure performance on spatial tasks, the Apparel Spatial Visualization Test (ASVT) was used. Preferred perceptual learning styles were measured by the Perceptual Modality Preference Survey. Spatial task performance was affected by training and culture of participants. U.S. students (compared with Swazi students) and students in upper-level apparel design courses (compared with lower-level) scored higher on the ASVT. Preferred perceptual learning style was affected by culture but not by training. Swazi students had a greater preference for the Print modality than U.S. students who indicated a greater preference for the Haptic and Visual modalities.