Solution strategies as possible explanations of individual and sex differences in a dynamic spatial task.
When individuals perform spatial tasks, individual differences emerge in accuracy and speed as well as in the response patterns used to cope with the task. The purpose of this study is to identify, through empirical criteria, the different response patterns or strategies used by individuals when performing the dynamic spatial task presented in the Spatial Orientation Dynamic Test-Revised (SODT-R). Results show that participants can be classified according to their response patterns. Three different ways of solving a task are described, and their relation to (a) performance factors (response latency, response frequency, and invested time) and (b) ability tests (analytical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and spatial estimation) are investigated. Sex differences in response patterns and performance are also analyzed. It is found that the frequency with which men and women employ each one of the strategies described here, is different and statistically significant. Thus, employed strategy plays an important role when interpreting sex differences on dynamic spatial tasks.
Peña
Daniel
D
Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
Contreras
María José
MJ
Shih
Pei Chun
PC
Santacreu
José
J
D000328:Adult; D001076:Aptitude; D001077:Aptitude Tests; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009949:Orientation; D011340:Problem Solving; D011930:Reaction Time; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013028:Space Perception