Object-spatial Visualization and Verbal Cognitive Styles, and Their Relation to Cognitive Abilities and Mathematical Performance

Abstract

The present study investigated the object-spatial visualization and verbal cognitive styles among high school students and related differences in spatial ability, verbal-logical reasoning ability, and mathematical performance of those students. Data were collected from 348 students enrolled in Advanced Placement calculus courses at six high schools. Correlational analysis revealed that spatial ability, verbal-logical reasoning ability, and mathematical performance were significantly correlated with each other. High spatial visualizers had significantly higher spatial ability and mathematical performance scores than high object visualizers. No significant differences were found between verbalizers and high spatial visualizers in their verbal-logical reasoning ability and mathematical performance scores. Results provide support for the existence of two contrasting groups of visualizers with respect to their spatial ability.