Information processing in field-dependent and field-independent individuals

Includes bibliographical references (pages 63-65)A short-term memory task was utilized to study the differences\ud in the perceptual functioning of field independent and field\ud dependent individuals. The task was performed under two levels of stress with respect\ud to speed and several levels of load stress. Analysis of variance\ud was utilized to identify significant differences in the numbers of\ud errors committed. Three types of stimulus materials were employed.\ud The two perceptual styles were not affected differentially. However,\ud field independent and field dependent individuals appeared to process\ud unique and similar stimulus materials differently. An analysis of variance perfonned on the types of errors committed showed that errors committed by field independent\ud individuals were more or less equally distributed in all categories\ud while errors committed by field dependent subjects all tended to be\ud of the same kind. The results of this study were interpreted to be in support of\ud the notion that the difference between field independent and field\ud dependent perceptual styles is more a difference in process than in\ud simple "efficiency.