Self Evaluation - Are You Spatially Adept or Challenged?

There are many, many persons who are unable to accurately locate themselves, in relation to other people or places and objects. Many of them may believe that they are different, but they may not realize that they are not singular in their inability.

Although studies on the spatially challenged are few and far between, Scientists and educations are becoming more and more aware of the need to delve into the world of the directionally challenged.

The Santa Barbara Sense of Direction (SBSOD) Self-Test

For those who are not sure if they are spatially or directionally challenged, here is a neat self-applied test you can use to assess yourself. It was created by a team of researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara (hence its name), led by Mary R. Hegarty.

The fifteen questions on the test "ask you about your spatial and navigational abilities, preferences, and experiences," and your score reflects what you believe to be your spatial and navigational ability.

It's very interesting. I urge you to try it. I did it, and my test results confirmed that I don't know my left from my right or east, west, north or south!

Click on the link below to open the test. It should open up in a new link.

After each question, circle a number to indicate your level of agreement with the statement. Circle "1" if you strongly Agree with the statement as it applies to you, and "7" if you strongly disagree. Circle a number between 1 and 7, if your response is intermediate, and "4" denotes the fact that you neither agree nor disagree.

https://hegarty-lab.psych.ucsb.edu/sites/default/files/2022-06/SBSOD_Formatted.pdf

Scoring Your Answers

Once you have given yourself a number for each question, find the average (i.e. add them up and divide by 15). A low average score - closer to 1, would suggest that you really have spatial and navigational issues. A higher score - closer to 7, should indicate that you have a commendable sense of direction.

Interpreting Your SBSOD Score

  • Low score (closer to 1): Indicates a weaker self-reported sense of direction and potential navigational issues. You may experience difficulty with tasks that require spatial ability.
  • High score (closer to 7): Indicates a strong self-reported sense of direction. This is correlated with better performance on orientation and other spatial tasks.
  • Intermediate score (around 4): Suggests you neither agree nor disagree with most statements about your navigational abilities.
Do let me know how you fared and why you gave yourself the points you did.

I really believe that the time has come for public discussion on the issues related to the directionally challenged.

 I am therefore, issuing an open invitation to all who want to join the conversation, with a view to either educating others about your experiences, or to learn how it feels to be directionally challenged.

 Please come along for the ride, at the end of which I hope all will know. Those who are not directionally challenged will have a greater awareness of the challenges we face each day. Those who are directionally challenged will, hopefully, lose the shame in not being able to competently navigate, and those who can do something, anything, to alleviate our suffering, will step up to the plate, and bat!

Let’s go change the world! 


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