Field-independence, or weak central coherence, is a recognised phenotype of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There is also evidence of cultural variation in this perceptual style, as neurotypical individuals from Western nations are more field-independent than neurotypical individuals from East-Asian nations. The majority of research on perceptual…

Cognitive styles characterize individuals' personalities as well as their social and cognitive functioning. An assessment of cognitive style can present another dimension of individual differences in children as the basis for planning and evaluating early childhood programs. (Author/LC)

Preference for field dependence independence and verbal imagery was assessed in 96 14-year-olds. Their map reading performance was measured in terms of map-aerial photograph correlation, symbol translation, and view identification. The results suggest that map reading performance depends on the learning style, sex of the pupil, and the type of…

Background: People with autism or Asperger Syndrome (AS) show altered patterns of brain activity during visual search and emotion recognition tasks. Autism and AS are genetic conditions and parents may show the "broader autism phenotype." Aims: (1) To test if parents of children with AS show atypical brain activity during a visual search…

The relationship of teachers' cognitive styles and their pupils' achievement was examined for second and fifth graders. Results indicated significant effects due to teachers' cognitive styles, but there was no significant outcome (main or interaction effect) associated with the matching of teachers' and pupils' cognitive styles, or with grade…

Self-efficacy in computer skills of 165 students in an introductory computer course at Sultan Qaboos University (Oman) was examined according to gender and cognitive learning style. Results indicated no gender effect on the overall computer self-efficacy score, differences in some low-level computer skills favoring males, and differences in…

This study investigated the cognitive style (field dependence/independence) and learning strategies of undergraduate students in learner-controlled computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Three learning strategies were identified, but it was concluded that cognitive styles and learning strategies may be the result of the computer software design,…

Discussion of hypermedia-based instruction (HBI) focuses on the effects of cognitive style on student achievement. The development of interactive software for eighth-grade students studying computer ethics is described; gender differences are examined; problems are identified; and information-accessing frequency is discussed. (LRW)

Discusses a study exploring whether field-independent (FI) students would rank FI teachers' characteristics as more important than would field-dependent (FD) students and whether FD students would rank as more important. Describes tests and criterion used. Concludes that individual differences in field dependence-independence characteristics…

Discussion of computer-assisted instruction and cognitive style focuses on a study of college students that investigated the relationship of student success in algebra and field independence-dependence. Topics discussed include the effectiveness of computers as instructional tools; treatments for experimental and control groups; courseware; and…