Rod-and-frame Test Research Articles

Towards a More Complex Formulation of Rod-and Frame Performance in the Schizophrenias

An alternative to the “perceptual differentiation hypothesis” of rod-and-frame test (RFT) performance is necessary to explain low-error RFT scores among process schizophrenics (Sugerman & Cancro, 1968). Data are presented which suggest that schizophrenic Ss achieve low-error scores by minimally scanning background RFT cues rather than by differentiation of figure and background stimuli.

Figure-ground differentiation under different perceptual sets.

Witkin and his colleagues have found that the ability to perceive figure independently of ground correlates with many personality traits and forms of social behavior. Rudin and Stagner extended these findings to include the perception of persons and proposed a more general concept to explain the results, that of ego autonomy. Witkin's position appears to be that ability to perceive figure independently of ground is a unitary trait measurable by such tests as the Rod-and-frame Test (RFT); Rudin and Stagner's position is that ability to change set and to select what is to be figure and ground is an operational definition of ego autonomy. To decide between the two positions, Ss were given both the RFT and the Self-contextual Influence test (SCI) under two sets: to be minimally influenced by the field and to be maximally influenced by the field. Results showed those Ss best able to ignore the ground when told to do so were also best able to let ground influence the perception of the figure when so instructed, thus supporting Rudin and Stagner's position.

Autokinetic word writing (AWT) and field-dependence

Thirty males and 30 females were divided into field independent (FI) and field dependent (FD) subgroups based on rod-and-frame test (RFT) performance. All Ss were administered the autokinetic word test (AWT) with latency of response and number of words reported constituting the response measures. FI Ss were significantly quicker to respond than FD Ss although there was no difference in the number of words reported.

Field dependence and accuracy of comparison of time intervals.

The relations between (a) field dependence and accuracy of time judgment, (b) extraversion and reproduction of time, (c) neuroticism and accuracy of time judgment, and (d) auditory and visual comparisons of time intervals were studied, using 50 male students as Ss. Field dependence was assessed by the Rod and Frame Test (RFT) and the Thurstone (1944) version of the Gottschaldt Embedded Figures Test (EFT). Extraversion and neuroticism were assessed by means of the MPI. In making time judgments, S had to adjust the second of two signals so as to equal the time interval of the first. The signals varied in sensory modality (auditory and visual signals were compared) and in complexity (symphonic music, a projected picture, and a pure tone and light were used). Accuracy in time judgment did not correlate with field independence, extraversion was positively, though weakly related to time judgment; neuroticism did not relate to accuracy of time judgment, and no differences were found when auditory and visual time intervals were compared.

Cognitive Styles in the Deaf

To evaluate sex and developmental differences in the cognitive style functioning of the deaf and test an hypothesis derived from Witkin's differentiation theory (concerning the relationship between cognitive style and communication ability) 90 Ss at three age levels were rested. Each S was given three cognitive style tests, the Rod and Frame Test (RFT), the Children's Embedded Figures Test (CEFT), and the Poppelreuter Test (P-T). The Paragraph Meaning scores of the Stanford Achievement Test were used to assess one aspect of communication ability, reading. Special procedures were utilized in the cognitive testing of Ss and in particular, a method for the administration of the RFT to deaf individuals was developed. The results revealed consistent and clear-cut sex differences in cognitive style, such that boys were significantly more field independent than girls. Expected developmental differences in the direction of increasing field independency with age were evident in the performance of boys but were absent in the scores of girls. The relationships between cognitive style and communication measures indicate a partial confirmation of the differentiation hypothesis tested.

Altering field dependence through stress.

Some researchers have noted the stability and regularity of field independence ( I ) , an ability to overcome embedding context-to experience an item independently of an organized field of which it is a part, suggesting chat, somewhat like intelligence, field independence has a basic maturational basis. However, as an element of cognitive style, a person's field-dependent functioning may vary considerably, especially under threat to selfesteem which weakens internal frames of reference. Ss were 17 volunteer female college freshmen, tested individually in two sessions. In the first, a standard field-dependence rating was established for each S, using a modified version of Widria's Rod-and-Frame Test (RFT) which defines field dependence in terms of a limited visual field (dark room, luminous square frame, luminous rod independently rotated at various angles); S tells E when the rod is positioned vertically with respect to gravity, the frame serving as a misleading item in the perceptual field. In Session 2 a week later, the 13 experimental Ss (but not the 4 controls) were asked ro take part in a supposedly unrelated test of their abilities to assess the social desirability standards of their upper-classmen as determined by survey. Using items from various personality inventories, Ss guessed the upper-classmen's results. Ss were told that they were wrong 56% of the time, were interrupted at pre-determined intervals by critical questions and glances, and at the end were told that they had done more poorly than other Ss. Stress was manifest in comments and post-test complaints. All 17 Ss were taken to the RFT room and given the same instructions as before. A rank-order correlation of .89 for RFT scores of experimental Ss over sessions indicated that the relative position of each S on the field dependence-independence dimension remained stable. A t of 2.19 ( P .25, d f = 5, one-tailed test), indicating these Ss were more affected by the social desirability test. The difference between the mean group changes was not significant ( t = 1.07, d f = 12, p = .20, one-tailed test). The little experiment suggests that stress-situations which threaten or deny the person's self-esteem will increase field dependence. This dimension is open to some control by S. Replication with a larger sample is planned.

DOGMATISM AND FIELD-DEPENDENCY.

To clarify the nature of the relationship between dogmatism and field-dependency, 38 male Catholics were administered the Dogmatism Test and the Rod and Frame Test (RFT). (1) Dogmatism Test scores were correlated with RFT performance. (2) Responses to items on the Dogmatism Test judged as measures of dependency were correlated with RFT performance. (3) Responses to Dogmatism Test items which Rokeach considered to be measuring authoritarianism were correlated with RFT performance. All three correlations were not significant, indicating that dogmatism and field-dependency emphasize two distinct aspects in the perceptual process.