Practice question from Spatial Reasoning Development: Perceptual Ability
What is the fundamental difference between mental rotation and mirror reflection in spatial reasoning? A. Rotation changes object size, reflection does not B. Rotation preserves handedness, reflection reverses it C. Rotation only works in 2D, reflection works in 3D D. Rotation requires more cognitive effort than reflection E. There is no difference; they are the same operation
Answer
B
Explanation
Rotation preserves chirality (handedness)—a rotated 'P' can become 'd' but never 'q'. Reflection reverses handedness, creating a mirror image. The PAT tests rotation, not reflection, so asymmetric features must maintain their orientation, not flip.