Manikin Test of Spatial Orientation and Transformation
FREE for use with an Inquisit Lab or Inquisit Web license.Background
The Manikin Test is a variant of the 'humanoid' mental rotation tasks, such as the Little Man Task, that focus on spatial relationships relative to a person as opposed to cube objects. The Englund et al. version of the task was part of the 1987 published Unified Tri-Service Cognitive Performance Assessment Battery (UTC-PAB) by the Naval Medical Research and Development Command. The Manikin Test is a slightly more difficult version of the Little Man Task and more suited to adult populations. It can be played with a keyboard version or one that uses touch or mouse input.
Task Procedure
In each trial the participant is shown a human figure that is either presented upright, upside down, facing the participant or facing away. The figure is superimposed on a background shape that is either a green circle or a red square. The figure is also holding a green circle in one hand and a red square in the other. The participant has to decide as quickly as possible whether the object that matches the background shape is in the figure's left or right hand.
What it Measures
The Manikin Test is an assessment tools of spatial reasoning abilities
Psychological domains
- General Intelligence: Ability to learn from experience, adapt to new environments, and apply knowledge to solve problems
- Spatial Reasoning: Ability to mentally visualize, organize, and transform objects
- Visuospatial Working Memory: Temporary storage and active manipulation of visual and spatial information
Main Performance Metrics
- Accuracy: Number of correct (error) responses/Proportion Correct (Incorrect) Responses/ Percent Correct (incorrect) Responses
- Decision Speed: Response times (in ms) of correct responses
Psychiatric Conditions
General Mental Rotation performance tends to be impaired in patients with the following psychiatric conditions:
- Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
- Huntington's Disease (HD)
- Parkinson's Disease (PD)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Schizophrenia
Available Test Variations
The Manikin Test of Spatial Orientation and Transformation as described in Englund et al (1987).
The Manikin Test of Spatial Orientation and Transformation as described in Englund et al (1987). Script runs with touch/mouse input.
References
Search Google Scholar for peer-reviewed, published research using the Inquisit Manikin Test of Spatial Orientation and Transformation.
Benson, A.J., and Gedye, J.L. (1963). Logical processes in the resolution of orientation conflict. (Report 259). Farnborough, UK: Royal Air Force, Institute of Aviation Medicine.
Acker, W., & Acker, C. F. (1982). Bexley-Maudsley Automated Psychological Screening. NFER-Nelson.
Carter, R., & Woldstad, J. (January 01, 1985). Repeated measurements of spatial ability with the Manikin Test. Human Factors, 27, 2, 209-19.
Englund, C.E., Reeves, D.L., Shingledecker, C.A., Thorne, D. R., Wilson, K.P., & Hegge, F.W. (1987). Unified Tri-Service Cognitive Performance Assessment Battery (UTC-PAB). 1. Design and Specification of the Battery (No. NHRC-87-10). Naval Health Research Center San Diego, CA.
Gresty, M. A., Golding, J. F., Le, H., & Nightingale, K. (January 01, 2008). Cognitive impairment by spatial disorientation. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 79, 2, 105-11.
Burcal, C. J., Drabik, E. C., & Wikstrom, E. A. (June 01, 2014). The effect of instructions on postural-suprapostural interactions in three working memory tasks. Gait & Posture, 40, 2, 310-314.