Impact of Selected Factors on the “Early Error” Phenomenon Evaluated in the Mirror Test

Aim. Evaluation of the occurrence of the early error (overestimation of perception of mirror reflections) and its size in the selected groups of individuals, as well as the analysis of the relationship between the size of the error and spatial orientation, evaluation of one’s own figure, time spent in front of the mirror and age. One hundred and ninety seven individuals were enrolled in the study, i.e. 46 school-going children, 30 hairdressers, 30 fine arts students, 30 medical students, 31 architecture students, and 30 individuals who were not related to any of the above activities aged 45–70 (Q group). An interview questionnaire was used with the early error evaluation test, a Standard Figural Stimuli Scale, and the WAIS-R block design subtest. The early error was made most frequently in the Q group. A significantly lower mean error was observed in the group of hairdressers, architecture students and individuals who declared themselves as having a scientific-oriented mind. The size of the error also sex-dependent – the error occurrence was significantly lower in males. A significant relationship was not found between the studied factors (age, error in the Standard Figural Stimuli Scale, subjective evaluation of one’s geometric imagination, time spent in front of the mirror, acceptance of one’s own body, and results of the WAIS-R block design subtest) and error size. The early error is made more frequently by middle-aged individuals and by females, regardless of their age. Its size was different for individual professional groups.