Influence of design training and spatial solution strategies on spatial ability performance

• DOI: 10.1007/s10798-015-9302-7
• Publication Date: 2015-02-18T14:26:39Z
• Authors: Hanyu Lin
• Keywords: 05 social sciences; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; 16. Peace & justice

Numerous studies have reported that spatial ability improves through training. This study investigated the following: (1) whether design training enhances spatial ability and (2) whether differing solution strategies are applied or generated following design training. On the basis of these two research objectives, this study divided the participants into design and non-design groups. Each participant in these groups was required to complete three spatial tests and one solution strategy questionnaire. This study found that the participants in the design group outperformed those in the non-design group regarding spatial visualization and spatial relations; however, the two groups showed no difference in visuospatial perceptual speed performance. The design and non-design groups adopted different solution strategies; the design group used the holistic strategy, whereas the non-design group used the analytical strategy.