Individual differences in cue utilization on spatial tasks

• Published in: Perceptual and motor skills Vol. 52; no. 3; p. 923
• Main Authors: McArthur, L Z, Crocker, D Q, Folino, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.1981
• Subjects: Body Weight; Cues; Female; Humans; Individuality; Male; Obesity - psychology; Orientation; Proprioception; Sex Factors; Space Perception; Touch
• ISSN: 0031-5125
• DOI: 10.2466/pms.1981.52.3.923

Two studies examined individual differences in cue utilization for spatial tasks. Study 1 investigated sex and weight differences in the use of proprioceptive and tactile cues for negotiating a finger maze while blindfolded. The results indicate that females and overweight persons were more likely to use a tactile cue than a proprioceptive one, while the reverse was true for males. Also, the 16 females were more likely to use a tactile cue and less likely to use a proprioceptive cue than the 16 males were. These individual difference reflected an attentional bias on the part of male subjects and a response bias on the part of female and overweight subjects. Study 2 investigated sex differences in congenitally blind subjects' use of proprioceptive and exteroceptive cues when giving directions to get from one place to another. The results showed that the 5 males provided more proprioceptive than exteroceptive cues, while a trend in the opposite direction was observed for the 5 females.