Spatial Processing Task

Background

The Spatial Processing Task is a cognitive behavioral measure of spatial reasoning, specifically targeting mental rotation abilities and short term memory. 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.

Task Procedure

In each trial the participant is shown a sequence of two bar graphs that always have the same number of bars (2,4 or 6) but may be rotated by different angles. The first bar graph is the baseline and is always presented in the upright position (0 degrees rotation). The second bar graph has the same number of bars but may rotated by various degrees. The participant needs to decide via key stroke as fast as possible if they are the same or different bar graphs. Each trial is timed.

What it Measures

The Spatial Processing Task is an assessment tool 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