Researcher ORCID Identifier
0000-0002-4230-5393
Document Type
Book Chapter
Program
Psychology (Pitzer)
Publication Date
2020
Keywords
Mental Rotation, Spatial Cognition, Development in Infancy, Sex Differences, Infant Cognitive Development
Abstract
Mental rotation (MR) is the ability to imagine the appearance of an object from a different perspective. This ability is involved in many human cognitive and behavioral activities. We discuss studies that have examined MR in infants and its development across the first year after birth. Despite some conflicting findings across these studies, several conclusions can be reached. First, MR may be available to human infants as young as 3 months of age. Second, MR processes in infancy may be similar or identical to MR processes later in life. Third, there may be sex differences in MR performance, in general favoring males. Fourth, there appear to be multiple influences on infants’ MR performance, including infants’ motor activity, stimulus complexity, hormones, and parental attitudes. We conclude by calling for additional research to examine more carefully the causes and consequences of MR abilities early in life.
Terms of Use & License Information
DOI
10.1016/bs.acdb.2020.01.001
Recommended Citation
Moore, D. S. & Johnson, S. P. (2020). The development of mental rotation ability across the first year after birth. Advances in Child Development and Behavior, 58, 1–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.acdb.2020.01.001
Included in
Child Psychology Commons, Cognitive Psychology Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons
