Gender differences in the rotation of city maps / Alfredo Campos, Diego Campos-Juanatey

This study assessed gender differences in city map rotation, and the differences between architecture, business studies, fine arts, and psychology undergraduates. Participants were given 90 pairs of maps positioned at different rotation angles (00, 900, and 1800). Participants were required to ascertain as quickly as possible whether rotating the map on its axis to the right (without lifting it up) aligned it with the model. In Test 1, no rotation was required because the angle was 00, whereas in Tests 2 and 3 the angle of rotation was 900 or 1800, respectively. The number of correct rotations (correct choices minus errors) were calculated for women and men and for field of study. Men made more correct choices minus errors than women. Architecture undergraduates made more correct choices minus errors than other students. This study indicates that maps placed on physical elements located in streets or buildings should be positioned at 00 in relation to the surrounding environment. Additional studies are needed to analyze the causes underlying differences between women and men and differences in map rotation between undergraduates of other university degrees.

Psychology.