Représentation mentale et processus moteur : Le cas de la rotation mentale

Abstract

Mental Rotation (MR) is the ability to form a mental image of a 2D or 3D object turning in space. The relationships with motor process still remain unclear. Inconsistent results were probably due to the use of at least, two different strategies by the participants, i.e. internal or egocentric strategy versus external or visual strategy which resulted in different patterns of cerebral activations (motor region and visual regions, respectively). Does the motor regions activation reflect a motor process required for the resolution of MR problems? Or is it due to the simple planning and execution of a motor response? Is MR ability linked to professional, motor or self-experience in sport? The aim of this article is to review and analyze the main studies involving different methodological paradigms (cerebral imagery, behavioral studies), and using different stimuli (Shepard and Metzler cubes, alphanumeric characters, body parts, geometric drawings) as well as studies comparing internal and external strategies. © 2010 ACAPS, EDP Sciences.