Analogue Mental Transformations in 3-Year-Olds: Introducing a New Mental Rotation Paradigm Suitable for Young Children

• DOI: 10.1002/icd.1815
• Publication Date: 2013-08-29T05:16:56Z
• Authors: Markus Krüger; Marlen Kaiser; Kristin Mahler; Wolfgang Bartels; Horst Krist
• Keywords: Mental Rotation; Touchscreen; Stimulus (psychology)

Until now, a successful application of the mental rotation paradigm was restricted to children 5 years or older. By contrast, recent findings suggest that even infants can perform rotation. Unlike methods used in infant studies (looking time), our new research allows for measurement and interpretation reaction times. Kindergartners (aged 3–6 years) were presented with stimulus configuration on touchscreen asked bring rotated into an upright position using shortest path. Mean time (RT) increased linearly angular disparity. The ensuing linear trend significant not only entire sample but also youngest age group analysed separately. To exclude possibility linearity due movement planning, 3-year-olds had manually rotate about same trajectory without need corresponding transformation second experiment. Here, no observed. These results are interpreted as evidence analogue 3-year-olds, equal processes older children's adults' Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.