This paper reviews the research literature regarding the importance of Witkin's theory of psychological differentiation, particularly the research on measures of field independence using perceptual disembedding tasks. The first phase of development of a multiple-choice perceptual disembedding measure, the Finding Embedded Figures Test, is reported. The literature exploring the origins of cognitive style differences is also summarized. The paper reports research evaluating the quality of a new pool of items that can be used in multiple-choice, machine-scorable measures of field independence. Most previous research has utilized the Group Embedded Figures Test, a supply-format test requiring judgments to be made in assigning scores. Results are interpreted in the development of two forms of the new measure. An extensive bibliography is appended. (Author/TJH)