A structural theory of spatial abilities

A cylindrical-wedge model is proposed torepresent the correlational structure of a variety ofspatial ability tests. The model corresponds to thedesign of the tests’ content, according to threefacets: (1) type of rule task, (2) dimensionality ofthe test items, and (3) need to mentally rotate testobjects in space. Additional facets are suggested torefine the theoretical and empirical structure. Themodel emphasizes regionality for representing interrelationshipsas an alternative to factor analyticmodels which seek meaningful reference axes. Theaxis approach has not supplied an unambiguoustheory that unifies content classification with theempirical structure of spatial abilities; it is alsotechnically more awkward and less parsimoniousthan the regional approach. This paper advancestheory and data analysis in the field of spatialability by providing a unified conceptual frameworkthat can be refined and expanded systematically,and that serves as an actual experimentaldesign that can be easily executed by other workersin the field. Existing data are shown to supportthe regional cylindrical-wedge model. Indexterms: facet theory, factor analysis, intelligence, mappingsentence, Smallest Space Analysis, spatialability