Three Social Motives and Field Independence-Dependence in Anglo American and Mexican American Children

Abstract

Previous research has indicated that Mexican American children have higher n Affiliation and are more field dependent than Anglo American children, who are more field independent and tend to have higher n Achievement. The present study examines n Achievement, n Affiliation, n Power, and field independence-field dependence among Anglo and Mexican American children. As predicted, Anglo American children were significantly more field independent, higher on n Achievement, and tended to be higher on n Power; Mexican American children tended to be higher on n Affiliation. Contrary to predictions, field independence-dependence was not related to n Affiliation or n Power; only the predicted positive relationship between field independence and n Achievement was confirmed. Results are inconsistent with some previous conclusions that field dependence is related to the greater n Affiliation of Mexican American compared to Anglo American children.