Field dependence
Encyclopedia
Field dependence and field independence are two different cognitive styles. They could be considered as the core of cognitive styles. The concepts are first proposed by Herman Witkin
(an American psychologist) in 1962. Field dependence/independence was the earliest studied area in the study of cognitive styles.
In general, they represent two totally different tendencies when people deal with information. People who belongs to the type of field dependence tend to rely on information provided by the outer world and gain their cognition (toward other things) in an overall aspects. On the contrary, field-independent people usually depend on their inner knowledge and analyze problems all by themselves.
How to distinguish these two cognitive styles?
The most popular methods are Rod and Frame Test and Embedded Figure Test.
(1) Rod and Frame Test (RFT). Testees are required to sit in a dark room where a square frame was placed with a rod in it. To be specific, both the rod and the frame are glowing so that the testees can see them. The researcher can adjust the angles of tilts of the rod and the frame as well as the testee’s chair. The testees are asked to adjust the rod to make it perpendicular (which should form a 90 angle with the floor). If they succeed in doing so, he would be considered as fied-independent, while those who adjust the rod and make it perpendicular with the lower edge of the frame then he will be considered as field-dependent.
(2) Embedded Figures Test (EFT). Testees are required to find the simple figure(s) embedded or hidden in a relatively complex figure. Field-independent people can get rid of the influence of the background image and find out the hidden figure, while field-dependent people will find it hard to finish the task.
Reference
Herman Witkin
Herman A. Witkin was an American psychologist who specialized in the spheres of cognitive psychology and learning psychology. He was a pioneer of the theory of Cognitive styles and Learning styles...
(an American psychologist) in 1962. Field dependence/independence was the earliest studied area in the study of cognitive styles.
In general, they represent two totally different tendencies when people deal with information. People who belongs to the type of field dependence tend to rely on information provided by the outer world and gain their cognition (toward other things) in an overall aspects. On the contrary, field-independent people usually depend on their inner knowledge and analyze problems all by themselves.
How to distinguish these two cognitive styles?
The most popular methods are Rod and Frame Test and Embedded Figure Test.
(1) Rod and Frame Test (RFT). Testees are required to sit in a dark room where a square frame was placed with a rod in it. To be specific, both the rod and the frame are glowing so that the testees can see them. The researcher can adjust the angles of tilts of the rod and the frame as well as the testee’s chair. The testees are asked to adjust the rod to make it perpendicular (which should form a 90 angle with the floor). If they succeed in doing so, he would be considered as fied-independent, while those who adjust the rod and make it perpendicular with the lower edge of the frame then he will be considered as field-dependent.
(2) Embedded Figures Test (EFT). Testees are required to find the simple figure(s) embedded or hidden in a relatively complex figure. Field-independent people can get rid of the influence of the background image and find out the hidden figure, while field-dependent people will find it hard to finish the task.
Reference