Running head: MENTAL TRANSFORMATIONS FOR SCALING 1 Using Mental Transformation Strategies for Spatial Scaling: Evidence from a Discrimination Task

Spatial scaling, or an understanding of how distances in different-sized spaces relate to each other, is fundamental for many spatial tasks and relevant for success in numerous professions. Previous research suggests that adults use mental transformation strategies to mentally scale spatial input, as indicated by linear increases in response times and accuracies with larger scaling magnitudes. However, prior research did not account for possible difficulties in encoding spatial information within smaller spaces. Thus, the present study used a discrimination task in which we systematically pitted absolute size of the spaces against scaling magnitude. Adults (N = 48) were presented with two pictures, side-by-side on a computer display, each of which contained a target. Adults were asked to decide whether the targets were in the same position or not, by pressing one of two computer keys. In one condition (constant-large), one space was kept constant and large, whereas the size of the other space was variable and smaller. In another condition (constant-small), the constant space was constant and small, whereas the size of the other space was variable and larger. Irrespective of condition, adults’ discrimination performance (d-primes) and response times were linear functions of scaling magnitude, supporting the notion that analog imagery strategies are used in spatial scaling.