Age and field independence among women

An Examination of Possible Age Differences in Interrelationships between Intuition, Cognitive Style, and Hemispheric Preference Variables

Further analyses of data from a large previously reported study were performed to determine whether three age groupings affected previously reported interrelationships between intuition, cognitive style, and hemispheric preference. Although there were comparatively few subjects over 35 yr. of age, membership in age groupings significantly predicted intuition for the oldest group. Older subjects were also significantly more verbal in thinking style and significantly more field dependent. Age differences were unrelated to subjects' hemispheric preference. It was noted again that these results re-flea the constraints of the various measures employed.

Spatial abilities and aging: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/STUDY CONTEXT: Age-related effects in performance on spatial tasks have been well documented, with results suggesting a negative effect on performance in older samples. Although meta-analyses have been conducted examining performance on specific spatial tasks, it appears that data incorporating a variety of tasks have not yet been integrated into a single meta-analyses.

METHODS

The present study examined age-related effects on spatial abilities in a multilevel meta-analysis of 137 effect sizes, drawn from 80 samples dated between 1958 and 2011. In addition to sample characteristics (education, year of publication, and age range), procedural factors (spatial ability category, spatial task, dependent variable, task setting, and medium of administration) were also considered. The standardized mean difference (Cohen's d) was used as the effect size measure in meta-analytic calculations.

RESULTS

RESULTS revealed a large (mean d = 1.01) age-related decrease in spatial performance on psychometric tests. Specifically, older adults (mean age range = 63-79.5 years) performed worse on psychometric tests than younger adults (mean age range = 17-28.6 years). Interestingly, this age effect was unaffected by factors such as specific test, test category (mental rotation, spatial perception, or spatial visualization), timing conditions, and group or individual administration. However, measures of response time produced significantly larger effects of age than measures of accuracy on spatial performance.

CONCLUSION

The present analysis demonstrates a clear pattern of negative age effects in spatial ability across the literature. Although these effects are unaffected by the specific spatial component under investigation or testing conditions, speed of processing was shown to be an important factor in spatial performance. The need to report more thoroughly on characteristics of young and old participants in future studies is also emphasized.

Spatial- versus object-oriented architectural environments: preference and perception

This study examined changes in perceptual response and preference a specific category of architectural environment by age groups. Understanding relationships among age, perception, and preference is important in creating more appropriate environments. The hypothesis was that individuals who score field-dependent on an Embedded Figures Test would prefer architectural environments which support spatial orientation, while individuals who are field-independent would prefer environments without information on spatial organization or an object-oriented space. It was also hypothesized that children and elderly persons would score more field-dependent and prefer spatially orienting spaces. 64 subjects ages 4 to 85 years were recruited from local schools, various organizations for seniors and adults, given the Embedded Figures Test to measure field dependence, and were compared. Their scores were compared by preference for one of the two environments. Hypotheses were not supported for the spaces overall, however, clear patterns regarding seating preference were identified. Children and seniors had significantly more field-dependent preferences.

Relationship of field dependence/independence with learning styles and locus of control among registered nurses

This study investigated the relations among scores on field dependence/independence, learning styles, and locus of control for 199 Registered Nurses. Hypotheses were that nurses with higher scores on field independence would score higher on internal locus of control and nurses with scores on concrete learning styles would score higher on field independence and internal locus of control. The Group Embedded Figures Test, Learning Style Inventory, and the Internal-External Scale, and a demographic questionnaire were administered. Analysis showed that nurses were field dependent, used the Reflective Observation mode of learning, displayed abstract and active learning styles, and scored as internal on the measure of locus of control.

Field independence and simultaneous processing in preschool children

The present study examined the relations between field independence and simultaneous processing of preschool children as measured by the Preschool Embedded Figures Test (PEFT) and subtests from the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC), respectively. Data partially supported the assumption that field-independent children would perform significantly better on simultaneous processing tasks in general. Significant age and sex differences on field-independence/field-dependence and simultaneous-processing abilities were found among the embedded figures task and selected portions of the K-ABC. Analysis of embedded figures further indicated age differences, but no significant sex differences.