Symmetry and spatial ability enhance change detection in visuospatial structures.

ABSTRACT: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) domains require people to recognize and transform complex visuospatial displays that appear to vastly exceed the limits of visuospatial working memory. Here, we consider possible domain-general mechanisms that may explain this advantage: capitalizing on symmetry, a structural regularity that can produce more efficient representations. Participants briefly viewed a structure made up of three-dimensional connected cubes of different colors, which was either asymmetrical or symmetrical. After a short delay, they were asked to detect a change (colors swapping positions) within a rotated second view. In change trials, the second display always had an asymmetrical structure. The presence of symmetry in the initial view improved change dete

SUBMITTER: He C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9365739 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature