Field dependence-independence and brain organization: the confluence of two different ways of describing general forms of cognitive functioning? A theoretical review.

We reviewed a total of 67 studies of the relationship between the cognitive style dimension of field dependence-independence and brain organization. To date, such studies have followed three basic lines of approach: (1) cerebral localization of processes involved in field dependence-independence; (2) evaluation of the relationship between field dependence-independence and hemisphericity; (3) evaluation of the relationship between field dependence-independence and hemispheric differentiation. The results of all three types of study are largely coherent with the differentiation theory formulated by Witkin and his coworkers. In addition, findings to date are of interest in that they suggest new directions for more detailed investigation of the relationship between field dependence-independence and brain organization. These directions appear very promising for improving our understanding of both the nature of cognitive styles and the functioning of the brain in general.