Field-Dependence/Independence: Ability in Relation to Mobility-Fixity

1986 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 279-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Birger Hansson ◽  
Olof O. Rydén ◽  
Per Johnsson
Keyword(s):  
Field Dependence ◽  
Relative Stability ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
Field Independence ◽  
Field Independent ◽  
Field Dependent ◽  
Independence Dimension ◽  
Male University Students ◽  
Rod And Frame Test ◽  
Rod And Frame

Previous authors have pointed out that, while the classic Rod-and-Frame Test (RFT) yields a measure of ability to perform field-independently, it is unsuitable for identifying stylistic preference, such as mobility-fixity within the field-dependence/independence dimension. To relate mobility-fixity and ability aspects of field-dependence/independence, we compared data obtained from two versions of the test: one with a “free” instruction, on which the subjects were invited to adjust the rod to any position(s) they preferred on each of 10 trials and a process-oriented version (RFT-P), involving 20 trials with the standard instruction but with a constant rod-and-frame configuration, making possible analysis of the process of adaptation. Mobility versus fixity was defined in terms of more or less frequent changes of rod positions and choice of a high or a low proportion of nongeometrical positions in the RFT-Free. 38 female and 23 male university students completed first the RFT-Free and thereafter the RFT-Process. Women were more field-dependent than men throughout the RFT-Process trials; there were no differences between the sexes over trials or in choice of positions in the RFT-Free. Compared with field-dependent subjects, field-independent subjects mote often changed rod positions in the RFT-Free and preferred nongeometrical positions somewhat more. Among field-independent subjects, those with consistently low deviations in RFT-Process more often preferred a variety of nongeometrical positions in RFT-Free than did those with gradually increasing deviations. We conclude that field-independence is associated with mobility and field-dependence with fixity, as defined by the RFT-Free variables, and that a prerequisite for high mobility is a relative stability of field-independence as reflected on the RFT-Process. Theoretical implications of this conclusion are discussed.

Field Dependence-Independence and Self-Esteem in Pre-Adolescent Children

1975 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter M. Pawelkiewicz ◽  
Walter G. Mc Intire
Keyword(s):  
Field Dependence ◽  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Inventory Analysis ◽  
Field Independence ◽  
Field Independent ◽  
Middle Range ◽  
Field Dependent ◽  
Rod And Frame Test ◽  
Rod And Frame

The field independence-dependence and self-esteem of 200 preadolescent boys and girls were studied using the Portable Rod-and-frame Test and the Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory. Analysis of variance indicated that field-independent children had significantly higher self-esteem than middle-range and field-dependent individuals. A small significant correlation between field independence and high self-esteem obtained (–.24) but only for boys.

Field Independence and Outcome in Schizophrenia: A U-Shaped Relationship

1968 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 1007-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Arthur Sugerman ◽  
Robert Cancro
Keyword(s):  
Field Independence ◽  
Poor Outcome ◽  
Premorbid Adjustment ◽  
Field Independent ◽  
Field Dependent ◽  
Two Measures ◽  
Post Hoc ◽  
Rod And Frame Test ◽  
Rod And Frame ◽  
Successful Predictor

Relationships are examined between field-independence as measured by Series III of the rod-and-frame test in 51 recently hospitalized schizophrenics and outcome 6 mo. later in terms of presence in or out of hospital. An earlier attempt to find a linear relationship between field independence and outcome had proved unsuccessful; however, on the basis of more recent findings, a U-shaped relationship, predicting a poor outcome for extremely field-dependent and extremely field-independent Ss, was predicted and found. Optimal cutting-points assign 39 patients correctly; the most successful predictor in the earlier study, Phillips' scale of premorbid adjustment, had assigned 36 patients correctly. Combining these two measures and predicting a poor outcome for only those patients with extreme field-articulation and poor premorbid adjustment 42 of the 51 patients are assigned correctly. The post hoc nature of findings and the necessity for confirmation are stressed.

Field Dependence and Rorschach White-Space Figure-Ground Reversal Responses

1971 ◽  
Vol 33 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1191-1194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph-M. De Koninck ◽  
Geneviève Crabbé-Declève
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Field Dependence ◽  
Rorschach Test ◽  
White Space ◽  
Field Independent ◽  
Field Dependent ◽  
Rod And Frame Test ◽  
Rod And Frame

It was hypothesized that field-independent Ss would produce more white space figure-ground reversal responses (S) on the Rorschach test than field-dependent Ss. From 27 females and 25 males given the rod-and-frame test the 7 most field-independent and the 7 most field-dependent took the Rorschach test. The 7 field-independent Ss produced more white space reversals. A control on the number of reversal responses as a function of time of exposure and a control on sex differences showed no contaminating effect. Thus, both measures may refer to the same dimension.

Social Compliance as a Function of Field Dependence

1969 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 299-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Solar ◽  
Gerald Davenport ◽  
Dieter Bruehl
Keyword(s):  
Sign Test ◽  
Field Independence ◽  
Embedded Figures Test ◽  
Field Independent ◽  
Field Dependent ◽  
Embedded Figures ◽  
Working Together ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Rod And Frame Test ◽  
Rod And Frame

To test Witkin's hypothesis that field-dependent individuals are socially compliant, 10 field-dependent and 10 field-independent Ss were selected on the basis of their performance on the Thurstone Embedded-figures Test and the Rod-and-frame Test (RFT). Each field-dependent S was then paired with a field-independent S and asked to cooperate in setting the rod to true vertical in the RFT. The obtained mean displacement from true vertical of the pair working together was in every case in the direction of greater field independence than the mean of the scores for the two individuals working alone ( p < .001, sign test). However, a posttest indicated that the RFT conformity of field-dependent Ss was confined to the paired situation. The Barron Independence of Judgment Scale significantly differentiated between field-dependent and field-independent Ss. The findings support Witkin's hypothesis that field-dependent Ss are socially compliant.

Field Dependence and Facial Recognition

1977 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Curt Hoffman ◽  
Spencer Kagan
Keyword(s):  
Field Dependence ◽  
Facial Recognition ◽  
Embedded Figures Test ◽  
Field Independent ◽  
Field Dependent ◽  
Embedded Figures ◽  
Two Measures ◽  
Human Faces ◽  
Rod And Frame Test ◽  
Rod And Frame

29 male and 28 female undergraduates were administered two measures of Witkin's field-dependence dimension—the Portable Rod-and-frame Test and the Group Embedded-figures Test—and a test of facial recognition. Field-independent males were significantly more accurate in the recognition of photographed human faces than field-dependent males. Field-independent females were also more accurate than field-dependent females, although the relation was nonsignificant. While it has often been claimed that field-dependent individuals remember faces better, the results of the present study, as well as others which have examined this relationship, support the opposite conclusion.

Field Dependence and Distraction in a Simple Psychomotor Task with a Constant Foreperiod

1974 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 1239-1244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey H. Blowers
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Selective Attention ◽  
Field Dependence ◽  
Simple Reaction Time ◽  
Field Independent ◽  
Field Dependent ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Rod And Frame Test ◽  
Rod And Frame

Rod-and-frame errors are thought to reflect differential abilities in selective attention. For this reason a study of the relationship of field dependence to distraction should involve Ss whose field-dependence scores have been determined specifically by the rod-and-frame test. It is thought that discrepancies in the results of previous work might be accounted for by lack of consistent use of these scores. The present study involved distraction in a simple reaction-time paradigm using 10 field-dependent and 10 field-independent Ss. There was no correlation between distraction and field dependence although it may be that a larger difference in field-dependence scores between groups is required to detect differences in susceptibility to distraction.

MMPI Correlates of Extreme Field Independence and Field Dependence in a Psychiatric Population

1975 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 539-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vance Stansell ◽  
Larry E. Beutler ◽  
Charles W. Neville ◽  
Dale T. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Cognitive Styles ◽  
Multiple Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Field Independence ◽  
Field Independent ◽  
Field Dependent ◽  
Psychiatric Population ◽  
Rod And Frame Test ◽  
Rod And Frame

34 male and 34 female hospitalized psychiatric patients were divided into field-independent and field-dependent groups on the basis of rod-and-frame test performance and their MMPI scores were compared. A multiple discriminant analysis followed by a series of 2 × 2 factorial analyses of variance was used to assess the results. As in previous studies, more similarities than differences were found between the two cognitive styles. However, field-independent subjects tended to be more unconventional, aggressive, antisocial, and perhaps defensive than field-dependent subjects. Explanations of results were explored in reference to previous findings.

Field Independence and Resistance to Reversal of Perspective

1966 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 543-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Haronian ◽  
A. Arthur Sugerman
Keyword(s):  
Short Form ◽  
Necker Cube ◽  
Normal Male ◽  
Field Independence ◽  
Embedded Figures Test ◽  
Following Instructions ◽  
Independence Results ◽  
Male University Students ◽  
Rod And Frame Test ◽  
Rod And Frame

The more successful 102 normal male university students were in following instructions to resist fluctuations of the Necker cube, the more field-independently they scored on both Series III of the rod-and-frame test ( r = .28) and on Jackson's short form of the embedded-figures test ( r = .24). Under neutral instructions, the correlations were nil. Results support prior findings that a small but significant portion of the variance of Necker cube fluctuations under instructions to control the rate of shift is related to scores of field independence. Results support Jackson's finding that ability to control the rate of shift is not related to intelligence.

Field Dependence among Male and Female Alcoholics: II. Norms for the Rod-and-Frame Test

1976 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 399-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
George R. Jacobson ◽  
Ann Van Dyke ◽  
Theodore G. Sternbach ◽  
Russell Brethauer
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Field Dependence ◽  
Normative Data ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Field Dependent ◽  
Perceptual Style ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Rod And Frame Test ◽  
Rod And Frame

402 males and 160 females hospitalized for treatment of alcoholism were tested in a standardized manner on the Rod-and-frame test as a means of supplementing an earlier report of normative data on perceptual style among male alcoholics. When their performance was contrasted with that of normal and psychiatric samples, alcoholics were clearly the most field dependent of all groups studied. Statistically significant sex differences justify the need for separate norms for males and females.

Field Dependence-Independence in Male Engineering, Science and Education Students

1980 ◽  
Vol 51 (3_suppl2) ◽  
pp. 1289-1290 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Lotwick ◽  
A. Simon ◽  
L. O. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Field Dependence ◽  
Intelligence Test ◽  
Engineering Science ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Field Independence ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Science And Education ◽  
Rod And Frame Test ◽  
Rod And Frame

Subjects, all full-time polytechnic students studying engineering, science and education ( ns = 64, 10, 17), took the AH5 Intelligence Test and the modified rod-and-frame test. Significant differences between education students and others were found, indicating greater field-independence for the former, but no such differences were found between engineering and science students.

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