Spatial Visualization

Spatial visualization describes the mental representation and manipulation of two and three dimensional objects. It is an ability that all people have to some degree but being skilled at spatial visualization tasks lies on a spectrum with some individuals being better than others. Previous research had shown that men were better at mentally moving mental representations of objects in their mind but current research shows that women have comparable spatial visualization abilities to men. Older adults tend to have less skilled spatial visualization capabilities than do younger adults. This ability can be measured using cognitive tests like mental rotation tasks. Generally people who do well on spatial visualization tasks would be good engineers and architects.