| Abstract: | Three experiments were conducted to determine whether mathematical achievement acted as a suppressor variable on gender differences in spatial performance. In this context, a suppressor variable should produce an increase in the magnitude of gender differences in spatial abilities when it is partialed out from gender and the spatial test score. In 3 experiments, undergraduate students completed the Mental Rotations Test (MRT; see record 1980-08722-001) and indicated how many mathematics courses they took in high school (Exp 1) or their mean grade in high-school mathematics (Exps 2 and 3). In Exp 3, the Water Level Task (see record 1994-20230-001) was administered in addition to the MRT. In all 3 experiments, support was found for the notion that mathematical achievement acted as a suppressor variable. Results are discussed with regard to their implications in the study of the relations among gender, performance in mathematics courses, and spatial performance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
