Improvements in Horizontality Performance as a Function of Type of Training

Abstract

90 undergraduates with low spatial perceptual ability were assigned to one of three groups of control, learner-guided instructions, and tutor-guided instructions. The groups differed in amount and type of spatial training administered in a laboratory setting. Participants completed horizomality and verticality spatial perceptual tasks immediately after pretesting and again one month later. Both groups given training showed more accurate performance at posttest than at pretest. In addition, the learner-guided instruction group outperformed the tutor-guided instruction group and control group at posttest and on novel but related tasks. Gender differences in posttest performance favoring males ( n = 35) were obtained in the tutor-guided performance group and control group but not in the learner-guided instruction group. The number of hints the latter needed during training was predictive of posttest performance. Implications for assessment and remediation of undergraduates' spatial perceptual abilities are discussed.