Facilitating spatial perspective taking through animation: Evidence from an aptitude–treatment-interaction

The present study examined the facilitating function of animations for spatial perspective taking. The task demanded to estimate directions to memorized objects in a spatial scene from an imagined position and orientation within the scene. Static pictures which required imagined reorientation of the self were compared to animations showing the reorientation externally. Individual differences in perspective taking ability were considered. Results showed a large effect in favor of animations for reaction times. An aptitude–treatment-interaction was found for accuracy: The relation between perspective taking ability and accuracy in direction estimation was moderated by type of presentation (static pictures vs. animation). Perspective taking ability played a much stronger role in direction estimation accuracy with static pictures than with animations. It is concluded that focused animations can facilitate perspective taking and thereby compensate for low spatial perspective taking ability.

► Animated spatial perspective taking was examined.
► A general facilitating effect of animations was found for reaction times.
► Perspective taking ability was important with static pictures, but not with animations.
► Animations can facilitate perspective taking for low-ability individuals, too.