Mental Rotation - Research Paper Example

Table of Contents i.Abstract 0 1.0.Introduction 2 2.0.Method 3 3.0.Results 4 4.0.Discussion 7 5.0.Conclusion 8 i. Abstract The thesis statement is premised on the fact that consistent cognitive sex variations are on the visuo-spatial domain that adopts Mental Rotation (MR) tasks. The length of the 2nd to 4th finger (denoted as 2D:4D) is a sexually demographic feature that tends to be quicker in women than men and negatively correlate with levels of testosterone. The research outlines methodology and data analysis strategies with regard to the format of mental representations of 3-D shapes in the process of mental rotation. Adopting methods such as reaction time studies, we administered tests to 100 participants and obtained that there are higher scores which do not reflect superiority with regard to mental rotation per se but task performance. The results of the study indicate that the decision making processes from men are accurate when presented with two different objects, in an environment women are likely to point incorrectly that they are same. Whereas the results implicate effects for evolutionary theories of difference in sex in spatial cognition, we further found that participants’ differences in confidence was the reason for the male dominance on the test but not the case on difference in spatial abilities to encode. Key words: 2D:4D ratio, sex differences, mental spatial rotation 1.0. Introduction The point that males have the ability of scoring higher than females on tests that need processes of rotating objects in mental image have not only become contested debate amongst psychologists but it is now becoming an acceptable phenomenon. Recent studies such as Coolican and Peters (2003) conceptualizes such levels of acceptance when they researched on ‘sexual dimorphism in the 2D/4D ratio and its relation to mental rotation performance.’ According to their findings, dimorphism is linked to cognitive performance especially in domains where differences in sex can be observed like mental rotation performance. However, there were previous researches that have been regarded as the most popular mental rotation tests that succinctly inform the direction this research adopts with regard to its methodology and data analysis (Vadenberg & Kuse 1978; Putz, Gaulin, Sporter & McBurney, 2004). To begin with, Vadenberg and Kuse research which has since been referred to as ‘VK’ provides guidelines in understanding the research’s mental spatial rotation task of the 20 pairs of shapes. Focusing on 2D:4D ratio, in such case 4D mean ring finger length and 2D denotes index finger length, the study is informed by the VK test which was a pencil-and-paper experiment that demonstrated that people can mentally rotate objects imagined to make a comparison to them and make a decision whether they are identical. The theoretical model of this approach is incorporated together with studies such as Honekopp, Bartholdt, Beier and Liebert (2007) who were concerned with second to fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D) and it is connectedness to adult sex hormone levels. Gender related differences in cognitive domains are not only drawing interests from academicians. Currently, the shift is now focusing on the role gender plays in individual’s psychological state (Csathó, Osváth, Bicsák, Karádi, Manning & Kállai, 2003; Ökten, Kalyoncu & Yariş, 2002). In particular, Neubauer, Bergner and Schatz (2010) argue about differences in sex and impacts of training on brain activation and performance. Their findings indicate that male and female cognitive profiles can reflects innate differences in the brains of females and male. Theoretical models such as the theory outlining that the differences between women and men in spatial ability are caused by differences in post-and or pre-natal levels of testosterone (see studies such as Puts, Cardenas, Bailey, Buriss, Jordan & Breedlove, 2010), this study thus hypothesized that the existing difference in performance of the task can also be understood to be a factor or intercept of different trials meaning that the aspect of one’s performance can be the best predictor of one’s core on the test. This view has been supported by studies such as Moffat and Hampson (1996) who were interested in a curvilinear relationship between testosterone and spatial cognition in humans. Just like studies such as Puts et al. (2010) have recognized, we consider mental rotation as a fundamental task that have been evaluated in cognitive science research. As such, studies such as Shepard and Metzler (1971) helps in designing approaches this study will adopt in presenting the 100 participants with perspective drawings of 3-D shapes. To explore possible point of mediation between different theories, earlier researches and mental spatial rotation task as was conducted, the research added aspects such as spatial relations encoding and levels of confidence among participants. 2.0. Method The 50 men and 50 women with mean ages of 26.95 ± 4.5 and 28.5 ± 4.5 years were recruited from a given data set. All participants provided informed consent before their inclusion in the process of participation. Furthermore, ethics approval for the study was obtained by ethical committee prior to collection of data. All participants had corrected or normal-to-corrected vision. The number of left handed and right handed was at 50 percent (Left 2D:4D ratio and Right 2D:4D ratio). With regard to the procedure, the research measured the length of fourth (4D) and the second (2D) finger of every hand. The research took the ventral surface of the hand of the participants from the tip of the digit to the base. The ratio as obtained (2D:4D) was found by calculating separately for the right as well as left hands. Finger measurements were done twice during a single testing processes/session. However, the repeat measurement was not made consecutively. Again, the research measured one other hand between the first and second measurements of any other hand. The reason for taking this approach was to reduce the chances that the second measurement could be affected by the memory of the first done measurement. Regarding the mental rotation tasks the study used the approach adopted from Philips M and S MRT (Philips, 1979). According to this proposal, participants are supposed to respond to different or same pairs of objects denoted in this study as M and S. As such, the study picked on a figure which was the same but rotated or mirrored figures that were also rotated. All participants in the study took the experiment twice adopting the same version of the task in a counterbalanced measure design that was balanced. 3.0. Results Descriptive Sex Mean Std. Deviation N male left_2D4D .9661638 .07693774 50 right_2D4D .9688988 .09402897 50 MRT_score 14.22 3.259 50 female left_2D4D .9944898 .06913765 49 right_2D4D .9955586 .06315949 49 MRT_score 11.76 3.394 49 From the results, the descriptive analysis shows that there were 50 male and 49 female. The mean of left 2D:4D is 0.966 with SD of 0.0769. For the right hand 2D:4D mean is 0.9889 with SD 0.094. The MRT score mean for male is 14.22 with SD of 3.259. For the female left 2D:4D mean is 0.994 with SD of 0.069, right 2D:4D mean 0.995 with SD of 0.0631. The MRT mean for female is 11.76 with SD 3.394. Correlation analysis Sex left_2D4D right_2D4D MRT score Spearman's rho male left_2D4D Correlation Coefficient 1.000 .715** -.328* Sig. (1-tailed) . .000 .010 N 50 50 50 right_2D4D Correlation Coefficient .715** 1.000 -.437** Sig. (1-tailed) .000 . .001 N 50 50 50 MRT_score Correlation Coefficient -.328* -.437** 1.000 Sig. (1-tailed) .010 .001 . N 50 50 50 female left_2D4D Correlation Coefficient 1.000 .784** .080 Sig. (1-tailed) . .000 .293 N 49 49 49 right_2D4D Correlation Coefficient .784** 1.000 .094 Sig. (1-tailed) .000 . .261 N 49 49 49 MRT_score Correlation Coefficient .080 .094 1.000 Sig. (1-tailed) .293 .261 . N 49 49 49 **. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (1-tailed). *. Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (1-tailed). With N for male at 50, the correlation between MRT and male left 2D:4D and right 2D:4D are negatively correlated while left and right 2D:4D are positively correlated and are statistically significance at 0.05 significance level. For the female, there is positive correlation between MRT and both left and right 2D:4D. The relationship is statistically significant since the p-value (0.00) is < 0.05. This is shown in the above table. One sample test Sex Test Value = 0 t df Sig. (2-tailed) Mean Difference 95% Confidence Interval of the Difference Lower male left_2D4D 88.797 49 .000 .96616380 .9442983 right_2D4D 72.862 49 .000 .96889880 .9421761 MRT_score 30.849 49 .000 14.220 13.29 female left_2D4D 100.689 48 .000 .99448980 .9746311 right_2D4D 110.338 48 .000 .99555857 .9774170 MRT_score 24.241 48 .000 11.755 10.78 From the analysis, the two tailed significance level is statistically significant since the value p-value (0.000) < 0.05. 4.0. Discussion According to the correlation results as indicated in the appendix men, unlike women indicate negative correlation existing between 2D:4D length of the finger ratio and performance on their MRT. Again, the study has noted that the correlation between left hand 2D:4D ratio and MRT reached the level of significance required. The research’s findings of a negative correlation existing between 2D:4D and MRT in men are in tandem with studies such as Kilduff, Cook, Bennett, Crewther, Bracken and Manning (2013). In addition to this point, Kilduff et al. (2013) also failed to find what the research could consider as significant correlation for women. However, we borrow from studies such as Kaczmarski, Kubicka, Tryjanowski and Hromada (2015) who have noted that differences in sex are frequently elusive and as such, their appearance may dependent on different other factors. Therefore it is unsurprising that there have been different studies that have documented failures to establish a significant negative correlation between 2D:4D length of the finger ratio and performance on their MRT (Kilduff et al., 2013; Kaczmarski et al., 2015). A key distinct or difference existing between the tasks conducted in this research and previous studies such as Mitsui, Araki, Imai, Sato, Miyashita, Ito and Morioka (2015) which indicated only correlations concerning digit ratio from male is that Shepard and Metzler task they considered needs dimensionality processes of crossing, in which the observer can extract 3D information as generated from a 2D perspective. In this research, mental rotation was only essential in situations where there was change in viewpoint. The study found that in both of this case and one a case where viewpoint was the same, the participants’ performance linked with ration of the digit when only there was change in spatial features. Putting this point differently, this study argues that the reason for the differences in sex that were reported previously was premised on the different types of mental rotation task that participants were needed to undertake. Considering the data of this research, a mental rotation task change in feature detection task in the absence of dimensionality crossing and mental rotation remains to be the given facet of the task that indicated a link with female digit ratio. Further to the point this research holds, the stimuli as given were novel that the 100 participants would not be exposed to ordinarily, and could provide an explanation regarding the strong correlations in this research’s data. We also noted that the existing positive connectedness of age concerning some aspects of spatial memory task significantly contrasts earlier researches such as Wu, Yang, Chai, Jin, Zhou, Peng and Zhao (2013). Nevertheless, a given aspect of the situation found to be correlating with the image which tended to remain the same may not a spatial processing task thus making this research to note that it is not an a comparison to previous studies. 5.0. Conclusion From the one hand, there have been considerable changes in the society and these changes have been accompanied by beliefs on gender equality in the intervening decades tracing back to the time Shepard and Metzler (1971) addressed mental rotation of three dimensional objects. Again, comparison of the correlation between the specific stimuli conditions and digit ration revealed that digit ratio remains as a strong predictor when it comes to the detection of spatial changes during MRT. However, for the results of this study and at least for spatial ability, the association between gender equality, the results of this study and Shepard and Metzler views, the belief should be reviewed. The meta-analysis results from this study supports different hypothesis including Shepard and Metzler for the development of spatial ability, and as a result, provides strong need to conduct even more researches in this area that can investigate the social and cognitive processes that underlie the link between cognitive abilities and gender-roles. References Coolican, J., & Peters, M. (2003). Sexual dimorphism in the 2D/4D ratio and its relation to mental rotation performance. Evolution & Human Behavior, 24, 179-183. doi: 10.1016/S1090-5138(03)00010-2 Csathó, Á., Osváth, A., Bicsák, É., Karádi, K., Manning, J., & Kállai, J. (2003). Sex role identity related to the ratio of second to fourth digit length in women. Biological psychology, 62(2), 147-156. Honekopp, J., Bartholdt, L., Beier, L., & Liebert, A. (2007) Second to fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D) and adult sex hormone levels: New data and a meta‐analytic review. Psychoneuroendocrinology 32, 313-321. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2007.01.007 Kaczmarski, M., Kubicka, A. M., Tryjanowski, P., & Hromada, M. (2015). Females Have Larger Ratio of Second‐to‐Fourth Digits Than Males in Four Species of Salamandridae, Caudata. The Anatomical Record, 298(8), 1424-1430. Kilduff, L., Cook, C. J., Bennett, M., Crewther, B., Bracken, R. M., & Manning, J. (2013). Right–left digit ratio (2D: 4D) predicts free testosterone levels associated with a physical challenge. Journal of sports sciences, 31(6), 677-683. Mitsui, T., Araki, A., Imai, A., Sato, S., Miyashita, C., Ito, S., ... & Morioka, K. (2015). Effects of prenatal Leydig cell function on the ratio of the second to fourth digit lengths in school-aged children. Plos one, 10(3), e0120636. Moffat. S.D., & Hampson, E. (1996). A curvilinear relationship between testosterone and spatial cognition in humans: possible influence of hand preference. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 21(3), 323-357. Neubauer, A.C., Bergner, S., Schatz, M. (2010). Two-vs. three-dimensional presentation of mental rotation tasks: Sex differences and effects of training on performance and brain activation. Intelligence, 38. doi: 10.1016/j.intell.2010.06.001 Ökten, A., Kalyoncu, M., & Yariş, N. (2002). The ratio of second-and fourth-digit lengths and congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Early human development, 70(1), 47-54. Puts, D.A., Cardenas, R.A., Bailey, D.H., Buriss, R.P., Jordan, C.L., & Breedlove, S.M. (2010). Salivary testosterone does not predict mental rotation performance in men or women. Hormones & Behaviour 58, 282-289. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.03.005 Putz, D.A, Gaulin, S.J.C, Sporter, R.J., & McBurney, D.H (2004). Sex hormones and finger length. What does 2D:4D indicate?. Evolution and Human Behavioiur, 25, 182-199. doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2004.03.005 Shepard, R., & Metzler, J. (1971). Mental rotation of three dimensional objects. Science, 171(3972), 701−703. Vandenberg, S. G., & Kuse, A. R. (1978). Mental rotations, a group test of three-dimensional spatial visualization. Perceptual and motor skills. Wu, X. L., Yang, D. Y., Chai, W. H., Jin, M. L., Zhou, X. C., Peng, L., & Zhao, Y. S. (2013). The ratio of second to fourth digit length (2D: 4D) and coronary artery disease in a Han Chinese population. Int J Med Sci, 10(11), 1584-8. Appendix T-TEST One-Sample Statistics Sex N Mean Std. Deviation Std. Error Mean male left_2D4D 50 .9661638 .07693774 .01088064 right_2D4D 50 .9688988 .09402897 .01329771 MRT_score 50 14.22 3.259 .461 female left_2D4D 49 .9944898 .06913765 .00987681 right_2D4D 49 .9955586 .06315949 .00902278 MRT_score 49 11.76 3.394 .485 One-Sample Test Sex Test Value = 0 t df Sig. (2-tailed) Mean Difference 95% Confidence Interval of the Difference Lower male left_2D4D 88.797 49 .000 .96616380 .9442983 right_2D4D 72.862 49 .000 .96889880 .9421761 MRT_score 30.849 49 .000 14.220 13.29 female left_2D4D 100.689 48 .000 .99448980 .9746311 right_2D4D 110.338 48 .000 .99555857 .9774170 MRT_score 24.241 48 .000 11.755 10.78 One-Sample Test Sex Test Value = 0 95% Confidence Interval of the Difference Upper male left_2D4D .9880293 right_2D4D .9956215 MRT_score 15.15 female left_2D4D 1.0143484 right_2D4D 1.0137001 MRT_score 12.73 CORRELATIONS /VARIABLES=left_2D4D right_2D4D MRT_score /PRINT=ONETAIL NOSIG /STATISTICS DESCRIPTIVES /MISSING=PAIRWISE. Correlations Notes Output Created 10-JAN-2017 17:40:09 Comments Input Data C:\Users\lucy\AppData\Local\Temp\11571846.sav Active Dataset DataSet1 Filter Participant ~= 55 (FILTER) Weight Split File Sex N of Rows in Working Data File 99 Missing Value Handling Definition of Missing User-defined missing values are treated as missing. Cases Used Statistics for each pair of variables are based on all the cases with valid data for that pair. Syntax CORRELATIONS /VARIABLES=left_2D4D right_2D4D MRT_score /PRINT=ONETAIL NOSIG /STATISTICS DESCRIPTIVES /MISSING=PAIRWISE. Resources Processor Time 00:00:00.03 Elapsed Time 00:00:00.04 Descriptive Statistics Sex Mean Std. Deviation N male left_2D4D .9661638 .07693774 50 right_2D4D .9688988 .09402897 50 MRT_score 14.22 3.259 50 female left_2D4D .9944898 .06913765 49 right_2D4D .9955586 .06315949 49 MRT_score 11.76 3.394 49 **. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (1-tailed). NONPAR CORR /VARIABLES=left_2D4D right_2D4D MRT_score /PRINT=SPEARMAN ONETAIL NOSIG /MISSING=PAIRWISE. Nonparametric Correlations Notes Output Created 10-JAN-2017 17:40:10 Comments Input Data C:\Users\lucy\AppData\Local\Temp\11571846.sav Active Dataset DataSet1 Filter Participant ~= 55 (FILTER) Weight Split File Sex N of Rows in Working Data File 99 Missing Value Handling Definition of Missing User-defined missing values are treated as missing. Cases Used Statistics for each pair of variables are based on all the cases with valid data for that pair. Syntax NONPAR CORR /VARIABLES=left_2D4D right_2D4D MRT_score /PRINT=SPEARMAN ONETAIL NOSIG /MISSING=PAIRWISE. Resources Processor Time 00:00:00.00 Elapsed Time 00:00:00.02 Number of Cases Allowed 142987 casesa a. Based on availability of workspace memory Correlations Sex left_2D4D right_2D4D MRT_score Spearman's rho male left_2D4D Correlation Coefficient 1.000 .715** -.328* Sig. (1-tailed) . .000 .010 N 50 50 50 right_2D4D Correlation Coefficient .715** 1.000 -.437** Sig. (1-tailed) .000 . .001 N 50 50 50 MRT_score Correlation Coefficient -.328* -.437** 1.000 Sig. (1-tailed) .010 .001 . N 50 50 50 female left_2D4D Correlation Coefficient 1.000 .784** .080 Sig. (1-tailed) . .000 .293 N 49 49 49 right_2D4D Correlation Coefficient .784** 1.000 .094 Sig. (1-tailed) .000 . .261 N 49 49 49 MRT_score Correlation Coefficient .080 .094 1.000 Sig. (1-tailed) .293 .261 . N 49 49 49 **. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (1-tailed). *. Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (1-tailed). Read More