Inhaltszusammenfassung

This study examined how computer-game preference relates to mental-rotation test (MRT) performance and to gender differences. Subjects were 861 German secondary-school children (mean age = 14.67; range 10–20 years). Latent class analysis with the data of a computer-game preference scale revealed three types of players: ‘‘non-players’’, ‘‘action-and-simulation game players’’ and ‘‘logic-and-skill-training game play- ers’’. Large gender differences were found with respect to class assignment. M...This study examined how computer-game preference relates to mental-rotation test (MRT) performance and to gender differences. Subjects were 861 German secondary-school children (mean age = 14.67; range 10–20 years). Latent class analysis with the data of a computer-game preference scale revealed three types of players: ‘‘non-players’’, ‘‘action-and-simulation game players’’ and ‘‘logic-and-skill-training game play- ers’’. Large gender differences were found with respect to class assignment. More females than males were found in the ‘‘logic-and-skill-training game player’’ class (82.9%) and in the class of ‘‘non-players’’ (81.9%). Males in contrast were overrepresented (81.7%) in the class of ‘‘action-and-simulation game play- ers’’. As expected, males on average outperformed females in mental-rotation test performance (d = 0.63). Furthermore, ANOVA results indicated mean differences in mental-rotation ability between action-and- simulation players and non-players (partial g2 = .01) as well as age differences (partial g2 = .04). With boys, non-players on average had lower MRT scores than action-and-simulation game players. For females, com- puter-game preference was unrelated to MRT performance. Results are discussed within a nature–nurture- interactionist framework of gender differences in spatial abilities. Ó 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.» weiterlesen» einklappen

Autoren

Klassifikation

DFG Fachgebiet:
Psychologie

DDC Sachgruppe:
Psychologie