The ability of human beings to locate ourselves is vital and essential for survival and adaptation. This competence is about spatial-visual intelligence, which is involved in tasks as diverse as driving and parking the car, handling tools, orientation and interpretation of maps or playing chess.
If you want to know more about this intelligence and how to exercise it, keep reading this Psychology-Online article: Spatial-visual intelligence: characteristics, examples and activities.
What is spatial-visual intelligence
Spatial intelligence is one of the eight types of competencies identified by psychologist Howard Gardner in his Theory of Multiple Intelligences. This theory, which surpasses the academic concept of intelligence and its traditional measurement through written tests, represents an expansion of the object of study in the field of human intelligence.
The Ispace intelligence It is defined as the ability to perceive reality and its details for the formation of mental models that can be rotated and manipulated abstractly or reproduced graphically. It also includes the ability to mentally recreate specific elements without their physical presence.
This intelligence can be summarized as ability to think and process information in three dimensions. Multiple cognitive processes are involved in spatial intelligence, such as creativitythe visual memoryhe spatial reasoning, the capacity for abstraction and spatial orientation. That is why it is an intelligence that has a role in both science and art.
Contrary to what is often believed, spatial intelligence does not depend on visual ability, it is not an essential element in it. Although vision is one of the most important senses for the perception of the environment, the mental representation of an object or the environment can be done through touch or hearing. Therefore, in this skill the capacity for abstraction and mental projection than the senses used for it.
Regarding the importance of this competence, it is essential for solving various tasks of daily life, such as the distribution of furniture in a house and for orientation. Regarding the cerebral location of this ability, it has been located mainly in the right cerebral hemisphere, although not exclusively. Of the lobes, the parietal It is the one that has the greatest prominence in spatial intelligence.
Visual-spatial intelligence: characteristics
Below we list a series of characteristics of spatial-visual intelligence typical of those people with a high development of said intelligence:
- High sense of direction and location, as well as map reading proficiency.
- Color manipulation abilitylines, shapes, figures and space and the relationship between all of them.
- Interest in various art disciplines such as painting, drawing, sculpture and photography.
- Capability for graphical representation of both visual and spatial elements.
- Spatial memory: may be able to remember a space and its details easily
- Perception of reality paying attention to the spatial relationships, distances and dimensions.
- Object recognition ability or image regardless of the position in which it is found
- Aptitude for anticipating spatial variations in objects through rotation and mental manipulation.
- Faculty in identifying similarities and differences between various specific elements.
- Use of various visual resourcessuch as schemes or mental maps, in the organization of information
- Very observant people.
- Recognition and distinction of the whole and its parts.
- Excellent performance in solving riddles, puzzles and mazesas well as in the interpretation of graphics and geometric shapes.
Spatial-visual intelligence: professions
This type of intelligence is involved in a wide series of disciplines such as design, architecture, photography, astronomytopography, engineering, sculpture, surgery and in pilots and navigators.
Spatial-visual intelligence: examples
Various historical figures stand out throughout history for their spatial-visual intelligence:
- Lucien Hervé: was a Hungarian photographer of the 20th century, recognized above all for his photography of architecture. His work stands out for its capture of geometry and the play of light and shadow. The choice of the thematic development of his photography is based on an encounter with Le Corbusier, pioneer of modern architecture. Hervé has received various awards, mentions and honors for his photographic activity, which highlights his ability to combine humanist vision with the architectural eye.
- Tamara de Lempicka: Polish painter of the 20th century. She stands out for her graphic representation of the human figure, as well as for her style. art deco, an artistic movement that is based on geometry and the representation of various elements of the environment through it. She is considered one of the greatest representatives of the art decoboth in Europe and the United States, being also one of the most prominent portraitists of her generation.
- Antoni Gaudí: Another character who represents spatial-visual intelligence is the Spanish architect born in the mid-19th century and the greatest exponent of Catalan modernism. He stands out for his sense of geometry and volume, as well as his ability to mentally project his works through imagination before capturing them. In fact, on most occasions he did not use plans, but rather three-dimensional models to represent his ideas. He was able to integrate different artisanal trends in architecture, as well as introducing new techniques when treating materials, such as trencadis.
Spatial-visual intelligence: activities
Spatial intelligence, like the other types identified by Gardner, can be exercised to stimulate its development. We show you some activities or tasks that can be carried out on a daily basis to develop spatial-visual intelligence:
- Notice: Pay more attention to the objects of your daily life and their details, try to remember them later and project them mentally without them being physically present. You can also rotate them mentally, thus accessing other perspectives of it.
- Visual organization: When managing information or planning, try to use visual tools such as graphs, diagrams, diagrams, etc.
- Play: There are a variety of games and hobbies that involve this ability. Some of them are strategy games like chess, others like Rubik’s cube, tangrams, Jenga, origami, LEGO, Borok 3D puzzles, etc.
- Video game: There are a series of video games that can be helpful in stimulating spatial intelligence, some of them are QUBE, The Witness or Antichamber. Classics such as Tetris or Mario Bros also stand out. Another option is to download the Lumosity app.
- Drive: Regularly driving a vehicle is beneficial for the development of this intelligence, because it requires attention to the environment and its elements, distances, movements and relationships between objects.
- Photography: It may be a good idea to practice photography on the subject you like, as well as experiment with taking photos of objects from different angles and perspectives.
- Spatial vocabulary: Try to use a specific vocabulary with spatial references. Therefore, try to avoid terms like here or there and use more precise descriptions about the location or location of an element.
- Orientation: Take excursions or walks through your city or place of residence using a map and its interpretation. You can also plan the route to take in advance and do without GPS tools.
Spatial-visual intelligence test
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Dziekonski, M. (2003). Spatial intelligence: A look at Howard Gardner. ArteOficio Magazine2(2).
- Lapalma, F. (2001). What is this thing we call Intelligence? The Theory of Multiple Intelligences and Education. Ibero-American Journal of Education25(1), 1-6.
- Vázquez, SM, & Biggio, MN (2011). Spatial reasoning and academic performance. Interdisciplinary28(1), 145-158.