The spatial intelligence is a concept derived from the Theory of Multiple Intelligences proposed by psychologist Howard Gardner. This type of intelligence can be defined as the set of mental abilities directly related to the navigation and rotation of objects in our mind (that is, their imaginary visualization from different angles). Therefore, spatial intelligence is so called because it is involved in solving spatial problems, whether real or imaginary.

Our success in tasks such as driving and parking a car, building a model, orienting oneself , giving instructions to another person who sees things from another angle or handling more or less complex tools will depend on our level of spatial intelligence.

Other less frequent activities in which spatial intelligence is strongly involved are, for example, those in which a shape must be sculpted into a material or a plane of a structure must be made. Therefore, both architects and sculptors tend to show a good level of this type of intelligence .

Spatial Intelligence and Vision

Something that we must take into account when understanding the concept of spatial intelligence is that, as such, does not depend on our ability to see through our eyes . The determining factor in spatial intelligence is being able to imagine a three-dimensional space that maintains its coherence over time, independent of the angle from which it is mentally visualized.

Of course, sight is one of the most important senses when it comes to learning about our environment, but people who are born blind can also use spatial intelligence thanks to the information about their environment that comes to them through hearing, touch, etc.

Can it be improved in spatial intelligence?

As often happens when dealing with the subject of intelligence, many people tend to think that these kinds of mental capacities are innate and determined by genetic inheritance . In the case of spatial intelligence, moreover, there is the fact that several investigations seem to suggest that men have somewhat superior spatial abilities when compared to the opposite sex.

However, spatial intelligence can be improved with some training , just like intelligence in general.

It has been shown that practicing exercises similar to those used to assess the level of spatial intelligence is practical for improving this dimension of cognitive abilities. These exercises consist, for example, of spatial rotation tasks, comparison of two objects placed in different positions that may be the same or only similar, spatial attention to various stimuli, etc.

So… how do we make it better?

The specific exercises that have proven effective in improving spatial intelligence are difficult to access from home, and in any case belong to training programs led by specialists. However, this does not prevent us from including in our daily lives some tasks that emulate the logic used in these laboratory tests. To do this we only have to take into account what spatial intelligence is and give it creativity.

For example, driving a car on a regular (and safe) basis can help, as we have to take into account the situation of all parts of its surface. Learning to plan the placement of figures in drawings we have created also involves the challenge of distributing objects that, although two-dimensional, take up space. The same applies to somewhat more demanding (and expensive) tasks, such as carving a figure into a block of wood. Any of these activities reinforce our cognitive skills linked to spatial and visual intelligence.

Similarly, there are games whose mechanics are directly related to the testing of spatial skills and, by extension, spatial intelligence. Among the traditional games we could name, for example, the tangrams and the Rubik’s cubes . On the other hand, some examples of video games that pose a special challenge to our spatial intelligence could be Portal, Antichamber or Q.U.B.E. , although classic 3D platform games such as Super Mario Galaxy can also go well, as you have to take into account the position of the camera, the character and the location where you want to land at each jump.

Don’t let it be said that exercising intelligence is boring!

Bibliographic references:

  • Gardner, H. (2006). Multiple Intelligences: New Horizons In Theory And Practice.
  • Tzuriel, D. and Egozi, G (2010). Gender Differences in Spatial Ability of Young Children: The Effects of Training and Processing Strategies. Child Development. 81(5): 1417 – 1430.