Field Dependence in a Geriatric Population

Abstract

Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of field dependence by Witkin and his associates suggest a course of decreasing field dependency between childhood and adolescence or early adulthood. The present study is an initial attempt to explore changes in field dependency through adulthood and old age. Three groups of Ss, 17-, 30- to 39-, and 58- to 80-yr.-olds, were given three tests of field dependency, the body-adjustment, rod-and-frame, and embedded-figures tests. On each test field dependency increased significantly with age. Between sex comparisons suggest that males were significantly less field dependent at ages 17 and 30 to 39, however, these differences were not present in the geriatric group.