Field dependence and hindsight bias: Cognitive restructuring and the generation of reasons

Abstract

Cognitive restructuring differences between field dependents and field independents were investigated in the hindsight paradigm using general knowledge items. Experiment 1 found significantly greater hindsight bias in field dependents than in field independents both for items that had been previously rated (“memory”) and for items that had not been previously rated (“hypothetical”). Experiment 2 examined the role of cognitive restructuring more directly via experimental manipulations of reason generation. Hindsight generation of reasons contradicting the correct answer reduced hindsight bias significantly compared with generation of supporting reasons or no reasons. However, this reduction in hindsight bias was much more marked in field dependents than in field independents, despite the fact that field dependents had greater difficulty generating contradictory reasons. Results were discussed in terms of field dependence-independence differences in the spontaneous generation of reasons.