Field
Independence, Science Achievement and Intelligence
R.G. Chatterjea & B. Paul |
To
verify Witkin's contention that field independent (FID) students
favour more on impersonal scientific affairs than field dependent
(FD) students, 80 male and 80 female class X students were administered
the Witkin's Embedded Figure Test (EFT) and Raven's Progressive Metrices
as measures of field dependent-independent cognitive style and general
intelligence. Students' scientific achievement scores were obtained
from school record. Role of intelligence on the association between
(1) field independence and sexes and (2) field independence and science
achievement were found to be insignificant. Because, sex factor failed
to show significant differences on EFT performances between the groups
in both intelligence uncontrolled and controlled condition and field
independence showed higher correspondence over science achievement
in both intelligence uncontrolled and controlled condition. Moreover,
when effect of intelligence was partialed out from the association
between field independence and science achievement, all partial `r'
values were found to be highly significant. Findings were discussed
in terms of greater interest and proficiency of the field independent
students on non-social abstract science subjects than field dependent
students.
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