Spatial Imagery: A New Measure of the Visualization Factor

Abstract

This study proposes a new measure of spatial ability based on the measure of the visualization factor. I assessed the reliability and the validity of the Measure of the Ability to Form Spatial Mental Imagery (MASMI). The test was designed consisting of an unfolded cube that the subjects had to mentally reassemble before replying to 23 questions related to the cube. Each question had 4 multiple choices, 2 true and 2 false, the total score being the sum of all the correct answers and then subtracting the wrong responses. The sample consisted of 138 undergraduate psychology students, with a mean age of 20.1 years. I obtained a Cronbach's α of .93. The MASMI was correlated to different imagery measures—i.e., imagery questionnaires and spatial tests. The results reveal that the new test provides a good measure for the assessment of imagery ability. Fresh lines of research are proposed in relation to these tests.