Computerizing the Mental Rotations Test: Are gender differences maintained?

A computerized version of the Revised Mental Rotations Test using touch-screen technology was tested and compared with the paper-and-pencil version. One hundred ninety-two participants—133 women and 59 men— took the paper-and-pencil version; 91 participants—47 women and 44 men—took the touch-screen version. Standard scores × test half and the entire test, proportion of errors × type, and proportion correct × alternative type were calculated. The expected gender differences occurred in standard scores and proportion correct × alternative type for both test versions. Men performed better than women in all instances, but gender difference effect sizes (measured by Cohen’s d ) were reduced from large for the paper-and-pencil version to medium for the computerized version. Scores declined at least nominally from the first to the second half of both versions, and significantly for women taking the paper-and-pencil version.