Field-Dependent/Field-Independent Characteristics of Male and Female Basketball Players

Abstract

Witkin, Dyk, Faterson, Goodenough, and Karp in 1962 suggested two polar extremes of perceptual ability, field dependence and field-independence, which were seen as relatively permanent personality characteristics. Rudin (1968) suggested a more general concept to explain Witkin's results which was designated “ego autonomy.” Rudin demonstrated that field-independence was related to the ability to change perceptual set. Jones (1973) suggested that game players should be more field-independent than nongame players and be capable of shifting perceptual set. This study was designed to determine whether male and female basketball players were more field-independent than nonbasketball players and whether basketball players were capable of changing perceptual set. Analysis of data demonstrated that male and female basketball players were not significantly more field-independent than nonbasketball players. Among the male basketball players and the combined male basketball and nonbasketball players, the more field-independent subjects were able to change perceptual set. It was concluded that there may be consistent differences between males and females in ability to change perceptual set. Male basketball players' ability to change perceptual set may be related to the level of field-independence. The basketball players in this study were not more field-independent than nonbasketball players.