Understanding Individual Differences in Spatial Ability within Females: A Nature/Nurture Interactionist Framework

Abstract

This paper reviews a program of research, conducted in collaboration with several of my colleagues, which examines individual differences in spatial ability from a biological/environmental interaction perspective. Our research strategy has been to identify the females who provide the exceptions to the male advantage in mental rotation ability. We tested a “bent twig” model, identifying a subgroup of females predicted to have a combination of genetic potential (assessed through familial handedness patterns) and prior experiences (assessed through choice of major and number of spatial experiences). The identified subgroup of women significantly outperformed all other groups of women on the Vandenberg Mental Rotation Test. Using a selective interference paradigm, we also found spatial strategy differences both within and between gender groups. To demonstrate the importance of mental rotation skills for females, we documented a relation between this type of spatial ability and both math SAT's and math self-confidence.