Mental Unknotting

Abstract

21 subjects were given a series of spatial test items involving the comparison of diagrams of interlaced ropes or knots at varying orientations. Knots were chosen because they are deformable and the manipulative tasks form a contrast to previous work on rigid objects and also because there is a mathematical structure to the study of their properties. Results are compared with previous work on the mental manipulation of rigid and semirigid objects. Certain knot shapes are easier to process than others and, as with rigid objects, rotation of one of the deformable objects increases the processing time. The nature and deformability of the knots allow strategies other than mental rotation, and these strategies are reported.

The cognitive benefits of interactive videos: learning to tie nautical knots

“…Secondly, from a practical standpoint, in the case of nautical knots videos may both outperform direct demonstration and interactive animations-the former because of its convenience and its unlimited repeatability, the latter because of its relatively cheap and easy production. Thirdly, different steps of the overall tying procedure may vary greatly in difficulty and complexity (McLeay & Piggins, 1998). Also, due to varying prior knowledge and competencies, a great degree of individual differences during learning may be expected.…”

The Relationship Between Bilingualism and the Performance of Spatial Tasks

“…In a study of the strategies for performing spatial tasks, McLeay and Piggins (1998) carried out an experiment which used novel stimuli. These were nonrigid deformable structures depicted as looped ropes which were either knotted or not.…”