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Spatial ability as a distinct domain of human cognition: An evolutionary perspective

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  • Geary, David C.

Abstract

Psychometric studies have consistently identified spatial abilities as a broad domain of human cognition. Spatial abilities are in fact found in species in which engagement with the physical world, as in prey capture or mate searches, influences survival or reproductive prospects and much is now known about the brain and cognitive systems that support these activities. Sex differences in spatial abilities are found in species in which one sex or the other engages the physical world in more complex ways, such as having a larger home range. Sex differences provide a unique opportunity to study the influence of evolutionary pressures on cognition, because the study of males and females from the same species controls for many aspects of evolutionary history. When there are differences in past selection pressures on males and females they are typically related to reproductive demands. The approach is illustrated here for spatial abilities and provides a blueprint for linking psychometric and evolutionary approaches to the study of human spatial and other abilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Geary, David C., 2022. "Spatial ability as a distinct domain of human cognition: An evolutionary perspective," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:intell:v:90:y:2022:i:c:s0160289621001008
    DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2021.101616
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wai, Jonathan & Hodges, Jaret & Makel, Matthew C., 2018. "Sex differences in ability tilt in the right tail of cognitive abilities: A 35-year examination," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 76-83.
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    Cited by:

    1. Coyle, Thomas R., 2022. "Sex differences in spatial and mechanical tilt: Support for investment theories," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).

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