Field Independence-Dependence and Susceptibility to Distraction

Abstract

A reversible perspective task was administered to field-independent and field-dependent Ss. This task was selected because it permitted testing the theory of susceptibility to distraction. The hypotheses were that field-independent Ss are less susceptible to distraction than field-dependent Ss and that field-dependent Ss are more influenced by the introduction of additional distracting stimuli. The effect of additional distracting stimuli was measured by requiring the recitation of digit series backward during one part of the reversible perspective task. The theory was partially confirmed in that before the recitation of digits backward, field-independent Ss reported more reversals than field-dependent Ss. However, additional distracting stimuli affected field-independent Ss to a greater extent. During the recitation of digits backward they showed a greater decrement in reversals than field-dependent Ss. It was suggested that the theory of susceptibility to distraction needed qualification and that task ambiguity might be a critical dimension to consider in future research on field independence-dependence.