Field Dependence and Distraction in a Simple Psychomotor Task with a Constant Foreperiod

Abstract

Rod-and-frame errors are thought to reflect differential abilities in selective attention. For this reason a study of the relationship of field dependence to distraction should involve Ss whose field-dependence scores have been determined specifically by the rod-and-frame test. It is thought that discrepancies in the results of previous work might be accounted for by lack of consistent use of these scores. The present study involved distraction in a simple reaction-time paradigm using 10 field-dependent and 10 field-independent Ss. There was no correlation between distraction and field dependence although it may be that a larger difference in field-dependence scores between groups is required to detect differences in susceptibility to distraction.