Вестник Мининского университета (Nov 2021)
A new structural model for measuring spatial intelligence
Abstract
Introduction. The task of studying the structure and dynamics of spatial thinking of schoolchildren and students is relevant for general and educational psychology and private teaching methods. The research goal of the article is to theoretically substantiate, develop and test a structural model for measuring the spatial intelligence of students and schoolchildren.Materials and Methods. On the basis of a comparative analysis of the content of the definition of "spatial intelligence" in domestic and foreign educational psychology (I.S. Yakimanskaya, H. Gardner), a structural model and a rapid test for measuring the spatial intelligence of students and schoolchildren have been developed. The Structural Equation Modeling methodology was used to validate the developed express test. The research sample consisted of 688 schoolchildren from Novosibirsk at the age from 10 to 15 years.Results. The model for measuring the spatial intelligence of students and schoolchildren is developed by correlating the components of spatial intelligence: spatial knowledge, spatial abilities, spatial skills, with the corresponding cognitive processes: perception of space, spatial representation (thinking), spatial imagination. Based on the classification of intelligence tests into three separate categories: spatial perception, spatial visualization, mental rotation from intelligence subtests (R. Amthauer, M.C. Linn, A.C. Petersen, M. Sjölinder), a rapid test was constructed. The reliability (validity) of the express test was confirmed using structural equation modeling by the method of confirmatory factor analysis of models consisting of 15 indicators and one factor (spatial intelligence) or three factors (spatial knowledge, spatial abilities and spatial skills).Discussion and Conclusions. The theoretical significance of the developed structural model is that it reveals the mechanisms of the natural development of spatial intelligence, depending on the degree of formation of its substructures. The practical significance of the obtained result lies in the development of methodological foundations for screening diagnostics of the spatial intelligence of schoolchildren and is due to the high importance of spatial thinking for solving educational problems.
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