STIMULUS FEATURES AND SEX-DIFFERENCES IN MENTAL ROTATION TEST-PERFORMANCE

This study examined sex differences in spatial abilities using a stand ard two-dimensional paper-and-pencil test of mental rotation administe red to 410 subjects. A personality questionnaire and six other ability tests related to mental rotation were also administered: numerical ab ility verbal ability, inductive reasoning, associative memory, percept ual speed and accuracy, and speed of closure. Structural and superfici al features of the tasks were specified, and sex differences in accura cy and speed were examined. Certain features of the mental rotation te st stimuli (e.g., long trajectories, multilined or multispotted) prove d difficult for both males and females, but more difficult for females . These findings were interpreted in the light of Just and Carpenter's (1985) model. Males also completed more items than females. In this r egard, personality factors related to cautiousness yielded significant negative correlations with speed. On the related ability tests, males outperformed females on a numerical skills test, and females outperfo rmed males on an associative memory test. No significant sex differenc es emerged on the other four ability tests.