探討指長比和空間能力的關係

An Investigation into the Relationship between Digit Ratio and Spatial Ability

對設計相關領域而言，空間能力是一項重要的指標，指長比和許多認知能力有關，其中也包括空間能力。目前，大部分研究指長比和空間能力的關係，都用單一空間測驗來表示，本研究在探討指長比和空間能力的關係，主要是以空間能力因素來進行，研究中使用六項空間測驗來檢驗空間想像、空間關聯和視覺空間感知速度三項因素。研究顯示，男性左手的指長比愈低，三項空間因素的表現就愈好，男性右手的指長比愈低，同樣發現空間想像和空間關聯因素的表現也愈好，但右手指長比與視覺空間感知速度無關。對女性而言，不管是左手或右手的指長比，都和空間能力表現無關。

Spatial ability plays a key role in many types of reasoning and communication, and is important in domains such as design. Digit ratio is related to a range of cognitive abilities, including spatial ability. In digit ratio studies, most studies are limited by using only one test for spatial ability. The purpose of present study was to investigate which sub-factors of spatial ability were related to digit ratio. We focused on spatial visualization factor, spatial relation factor and perceptual speed factor. It was found that for males, low digit ratio of the left hand was associated with better performance on all three sub-factors of spatial ability. Similarly, low digit ration of right hand in males was related to better performance on two of three spatial factors: the spatial visualization and spatial relation, but not on the perceptual speed factor. For female subjects, no significant correlation with spatial ability was observed on both hands. This study indicates that males with low digit ratio have better spatial ability.