Structural equation models of RIF platform data support mental rotation and visualisation task groups as two discrete factors¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associational r? · q2
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Comparing one-factor and two-factor hierarchical SEMs of RIF task-group data supported the discriminant validity of mental rotation and visualisation as two discrete factors. → Buckley 2026

Evidence¶

Buckley 2026¶

Buckley, J., Sorby, S., Duffy, G., Maresch, G., & Power, J. (2026). Gender Differences in Mental Rotation and Visualisation Across Adolescence: Large Scale Evidence from the United States, Ireland, and Austria with Single-Paper Meta-Analyses. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-026-10149-0

q2 · i? · associational · r?

Supplementary structural equation modelling of RIF platform data comparing a one-factor model (all 12 task groups on one spatial ability factor) against a two-factor hierarchical model. The article reports "The results support the discriminant validity of these measures as two discrete factors."

"We compare, in Supplementary Analysis 1, two structural equation models using the RIF data for this paper. One model contained a one-factor structure with all 12 task groups from this paper loading onto a single spatial ability factor."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Instrument type moderated the mental rotation gender-difference effect size but not the visualisation effect size — related
• Perspective-taking (spatial orientation) shows evidence of uniqueness from mental rotation factors — related
• A small gender difference in visualisation favouring boys exists across adolescence and is robust across measurement instruments — related
• Spatial orientation/perspective-taking and spatial visualization/mental rotation are psychometrically and neurally dissociable skills — a broader claim this one bears on