The Interaction of Biological and Environmental Effects on Spatial Abilities: A Review
Date
2005
Authors
Lloyd, Robert Earl
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to review cognitive science and neuroscience literature related to spatial abilities and individual differences, and to identify connections with geographic education. The hunter-gatherer theory offers an evolutionary explanation of sex differences based on natural and sexual selection. The right shift theory is a genetic theory that considers how brain lateralization for speech and spatial abilities are related. The bent twig theory explains how biology and the environment might interact to influence how individuals develop their spatial abilities. Conclusions argue that models of cognitive performance based on the interaction of biology and the environment are the most complete and promising.
Description
Keywords
geography, sex differences, spatial ability, learning theory, geographic education, neural efficiency
Citation
Lloyd, R.E. (2005). The interaction of biological and environmental effects on spatial abilities: A review. Research in Geographic Education, 5, pp. 48-84.