We can increase the effectiveness of human relations training (HRT) by recog
nizing the differential effectiveness of various kinds of training with different
"types" of participants. This article helps to explain why one kind of HRT may be
effective for some. people yet unproductive for others. The individual difference
variable explored here is the cognitive style knowm as field-dependence-indepen
dence (FDI). The literature on FDI is reviewed for two purposes: (1) to under
stand interpersonal behavior in the HRT setting better and (2) to hypothesize the relationship s that might make for successful or unsuccessful matches between
participants of varying cognitive styles and HRT programs of varying degrees
of structure. FDI has been found to be a crucial differentiating variable in
determining the effectiveness of matching strategies in the fields of education and
psychotherapy. Two questions are (1) Are participant satisfaction and learning
influenced by cognitive style? (2) What behaviors or interpersonal styles might
we expect from persons of varying cognitive styles?
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