{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,13]],"date-time":"2026-04-13T15:26:42Z","timestamp":1776094002837,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":51,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2022,1,23]],"date-time":"2022-01-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1642896000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":22,"URL":"http:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/termsAndConditions#vor"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Cognitive Science"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2022,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title><jats:p>Spatial construction\u2014the activity of creating novel spatial arrangements or copying existing ones\u2014is a hallmark of human spatial cognition. Spatial construction abilities predict math and other academic outcomes and are regularly used in IQ testing, but we know little about the cognitive processes that underlie them. In part, this lack of understanding is due to both the complex nature of construction tasks and the tendency to limit measurement to the overall accuracy of the end goal. Using an automated recording and coding system, we examined in detail adults\u2019 performance on a block copying task, specifying their step\u2010by\u2010step actions, culminating in all steps in the full construction of the build\u2010path. The results revealed the consistent use of a structured plan that unfolded in an organized way, layer by layer (bottom to top). We also observed that complete layers served as <jats:italic>convergence points<\/jats:italic>, where the most agreement among participants occurred, whereas the specific steps taken to achieve each of those layers diverged, or varied, both across and even within individuals. This pattern of convergence and divergence suggests that the layers themselves were serving as the common subgoals across both inter and intraindividual builds of the same model, reflecting cognitive \u201cchunking.\u201d This structured use of layers as subgoals was functionally related to better performance among builders. Our findings offer a foundation for further exploration that may yield insights into the development and training of block\u2010construction as well as other complex cognitive\u2010motor skills. In addition, this work offers proof\u2010of\u2010concept for systematic investigation into a wide range of complex action\u2010based cognitive tasks.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1111\/cogs.13081","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2022,1,23]],"date-time":"2022-01-23T19:43:55Z","timestamp":1642967035000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":10,"title":["Characterizing the Details of Spatial Construction: Cognitive Constraints and Variability"],"prefix":"10.1111","volume":"46","author":[{"given":"Amy Lynne","family":"Shelton","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Education and Center for Talented Youth Johns Hopkins University"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"E. 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