Field Dependence-Independence and Brain Organization: The Confluence of Two Different Ways of Describing General Forms of Cognitive Functioning? A Theoretical Review

Abstract

We reviewed a total of 67 studies of the relationship between the cognitive style dimension of field dependence-independence and brain organization. To date, such studies have followed three basic lines of approach: (1) cerebral localization of processes involved in field dependence-independence; (2) evaluation of the relationship between field dependence-independence and hemisphericity; (3) evaluation of the relationship between field dependence-independence and hemispheric differentiation. The results of all three types of study are largely coherent with the differentiation theory formulated by Witkin and his coworkers. In addition, findings to date are of interest in that they suggest new directions for more detailed investigation of the relationship between field dependence-independence and brain organization. These directions appear very promising for improving our understanding of both the nature of cognitive styles and the functioning of the brain in general.

Assessing and Helping Challenging Students: Part One, Why Do Some Students Have Difficulty Learning?

“…Much of the information-processing research is based on the field dependent-field independent construct of cognitive function. 52,56 This model was proposed at the time of the Korean War (1950-53) to explain why some experienced World War II fighter pilots could maneuver the new and faster jet fighters and why others who had been successful in slower, propeller-driven aircraft had difficulty in jets. In fact, there were so many crashes in the early phases of training that the military sought the help of cognitive psychologists to determine why skilled pilots could not safely fly the new generation of jet planes.…”

“…Tinajero et al provide a comprehensive review of research based on the field independence and field dependence construct. 56 Students who have difficulty learning psychomotor tasks (such as administering an intravenous injection) that require eye-to-hand coordination and ability to interpret tactile and visual stimuli may not be deficient because they have not studied or practiced. It may have something to do with the way they are "seeing and feeling" the object or, in fact, not seeing and feeling it.…”

Difference in Visual Processing Assessed by Eye Vergence Movements

“…Individuals with a global perceptual style have problems to ignore the spatial context of a stimulus (field dependent observers; FD) while individuals with a local style are not so influenced by surrounding stimuli (field independent observers; FI). Perceptual style is attributed to differentiation in brain organization [14] that may result in distinctive attention and spatial abilities [15-18]. …”

Sex and ability differences in neural activation for disembedding figures: An EEG investigation

“…Still other studies report no hemispheric differences between high and low disembedding performers (Barnat, 1974;Pierro & Goldberger, 1982). Such discrepancies may be related to differences in experimental methods and measurement techniques (e.g., differing behavioral measures and the use of different types of brain imaging technology, see Tinajero, Páramo, Cadaveira, & Rodriguez-Holguin, 1993). Moreover, it is important to acknowledge that the disembedding process involves at least two primary cognitive components: 1) sensory processing of the visual input and 2) perception (and recognition) of the embedded figure (Gill, O'Boyle, & Hathaway, 1998;Itti & Koch, 2001;Luck & Hillyard, 1994).…”