Mental Rotations, a Group Test of Three-Dimensional Spatial Visualization
Abstract
A new paper-and-pencil test of spatial visualization was constructed from the figures used in the chronometric study of Shepard and Metzler (1971). In large samples, the new test displayed substantial internal consistency (Kuder-Richardson 20 = .88), a test-retest reliability (.83), and consistent sex differences over the entire range of ages investigated. Correlations with other measures indicated strong association with tests of spatial visualization and virtually no association with tests of verbal ability.
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The Mental Rotation Test (MRT) was introduced by Vandenberg & Kuse (1978) as a test of spatial visualization.
“Mental rotation test (MRT). This was introduced by Vandenberg & Kuse (1978) as a test of spatial visualization.”
From Does Spatial Cognition Emerge in Frontier Models? (2024) · cites this paper as Vandenberg & Kuse (1978)
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- Authors
- Vandenberg, S. G., & Kuse, A. R.
- Affiliations
- University of Colorado Boulder (US)
- Venue
- Perceptual and Motor Skills
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 1978-12
- Volume
- 47
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 599-604
- ISSN
- 0031-5125 (ISSN-L)
- 1558-688X
- OpenAlex
- W2165565225
- Cited by
- 2,620
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 80 · 2025: 93 · 2024: 115 · 2023: 110 · 2022: 137 · 2021: 125 · 2020: 150 · 2019: 136 · 2018: 129 · 2017: 94 · 2016: 120 · 2015: 119 · 2014: 87 · 2013: 117 · 2012: 105
- FWCI
- 12.70
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Perceptual and Motor Skills (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Automotive Engineering › Spatial Cognition and Navigation
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Social Sciences › Geography, Planning and Development › Geography Education and Pedagogy
- Keywords
- mental rotation, spatial visualization, paper-and-pencil tests, test development, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, sex differences, age differences, verbal ability
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Orientation, Psychological Tests, Sex Factors, Space Perception
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