DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN IN COGNITIVE STRATEGIES APPLIED IN MENTAL ROTATION TASKS

Abstract

This article aims to outline the differences between men and women in cognitive strategies applied in mental rotation task. Mental rotation is recognised among the fundamental processes of spatial thinking. Good ability to assess the spatial relations between oneself and the surrounding makes it possible to take decisions quickly and to act effectively. Mental rotation tasks can be performed in various ways, depending on their type, and with a use of different cognitive strategies. The study explores characteristics of mental rotation task performance specific to women and men. The differences observed in this area are determined by multiple factors. It was pointed out that interactions between biological and environmental factors are of major importance for effective performance in mental rotation tasks. The discussion also focuses on task characteristics possibly determining different results achieved by men and women, and potentially affecting the choice of specific strategies applied in mental rotation tasks. Subsequently, the article reviews the evidence suggesting differences in cognitive strategies used during mental rotation tasks by women and men. It is also pointed out that, in the context of the observed sex-related differences, the type of strategies used are associated with methods of assessing visuospatial material and with task characteristics. The final part presents data from neuroimaging studies investigating brain activity recorded during performance of this type of tasks. The evidence was discussed with reference to sex differences in cognitive strategies applied in mental rotation tasks.