Visual Spatial Skills Created by Alan J. McCormack

Visual/Spatial Perception

  • Ability to form mental images of observed objects.
  • Ability to observe fine details of objects
  • Making connections between real objects and drawings, photographs, or media images that represent the object.

Visual/Spatial Memory

  • Storage and retrieval of mental images representing previously observed objects.
  • Communicating descriptions of previously perceived objects through drawing.
  • Visualizing objects based on verbal descriptions.

Logical Visual/Spatial Thinking

  •  Visualization of elements in a pattern.
  • Figure completions.
  • Identifying hidden shapes (embedded figures).
  • Visualizing objects as observed from different points of view.
  • Interpreting 2-D representations of 3-D objects.
  • Visualizing sections of objects.
  • Identifying and constructing surface patterns of 3-D objects.
  • Visualizing rotations of 3-D objects.
  • Visualizing motions of objects.
  • Making inferences regarding shapes of objects based on shadows they cast.
  • Visualizing a previously observed or predicted transformation of an object.

Creative Visual/Spatial Thinking

  • Creating fantasy images.
  • Visual intentions of devices, creatures, solutions to problems.
  • Janusian imagery (holding two mental images in the mind at the same moment.
  • Imaging alternate future events.
  • Imaging alternate explanations for operation of physical system based on partial observation.
  • Fluency, flexibility, and originality in production of divergent mental images related to a stimulus.
  • Ability to tap subconscious states through relaxation, meditation, dreams, etc.
  • Ability to create visual humor through cartoons, pantomime, and drawings.
  • Ability to create visual metaphors.
  • Willingness to risk experiences with fantasy.

Dr. Robert Sweetland's Notes ©