Differences in map representation by Indian and American adolescents

Piaget and Inhelder (1967) outlined three stages of spatial representation of the environment culminating in an abstract map-like understanding of space. 120 boys and 120 girls from India and the USA were asked to draw a map of their neighborhoods displaying roads and other landmarks, especially their homes and schools. Analyses indicated both gender and cross cultural differences in the stage performance of the participants. Implications of these findings as well as future lines of research ate discussed.