Research Note: Field Dependence-Independence and Texture Discrimination in College Non-music Majors

Abstract

The intent of this study was to investigate the association between field dependence-independence (FDI) and the ability of college non-music majors to discriminate among music textures, and to look for evidence that could help explain such an association. Subject variables included Group Embedded-Figures Test (GEFT) scores, American College Testing Assessment (ACT) scores, years of previous music experience, and gender. The dependent variable was the 20-item Texture Discrimination Test (TDT). Before taking the TDT, subjects participated in a short lesson about common music textures. The GEFT explained a substantial portion (13.7%, p<O0001) of variance in TDT scores not accounted for by other variables. Field dependent (FD) individuals were significantly less accurate than field independent (FI) individuals in identifying homophonic and polyphonic textures. Moreover, FD individuals were more likely than FI individuals to respond "monophonic" to homophonic items and "homophonic" to polyphonic items. No differences were found for monophonic items. These results lead to the conclusion that the association between FDI and texture discrimination resulted from individuals disembedding at similar levels of effectiveness across tasks.