Performance of field-dependent and field-independent subjects on a rod and frame discrimination task.

This study assessed the relative ability of 7 field-independent and 8 field-dependent persons to detect changes in rod and frame positions. Each subject received 90 discrimination trials. Each trial consisted of the standard stimulus (both rod and frame tilted 15 degrees to the subject's left) followed by a comparison stimulus (rod or frame differing from the standard by 3 degrees, 6 degrees, 9 degrees, or 12 degrees). Results supported the hypothesized superiority of field-independent persons in detecting frame changes; however, detections of rod changes did not differentiate field-dependent from field-independent persons.

Two-point tactual discrimination on the back: a signal-detection approach.

This investigation determined if subthreshold two-point aesthesiometer separations could be discriminated from one-point on the back, using a fixed-based matching signal detection technique. Subjects reliably discriminated two-point separations as small as 2 mm from one point on the back. In addition, the back appears to be more sensitive to discriminating two points from one point than the dorsal forearm.

Two-point tactual discrimination: a signal detection approach.

This investigation determined if subthreshold two-point aesthesiometer separations could be discriminated from one-point on the dorsal forearm. A fixed-based matching signal-detection technique was employed. The results indicated that subjects can reliably discriminate two-point separations as small as 2 mm when compared to one point.

Early social isolation of the domestic cat: responses to separation from social and nonsocial rearing stimuli.

The relative contributions of social-rearing stimuli (a mother and/or a littermate) and nonsocial-rearing stimuli (a brooder) to the formation and decline of infant kitten attachments were assessed by counting the frequency of distress cries produced by separation from the following rearing conditions: (1) mother-littermate; (2) mother-only; (3) brooder-littermate; and (4) brooder-only. Four male and 4 female kittens were reared in each condition. Each kitten was separated from its rearing condition once a week, from 2 until 5 weeks of age, and placed in open field for 15 min. The frequency of distress cries in both littermate-reared groups did not significantly differ throughout the experiment. The frequency was consistently high until 5 weeks of age when distress cries were significantly reduced. The frequency of distress cries consistently increased in the mother-only-reared kittens with repeated separations, but consistently decreased in the brooder-only-reared kittens. The results were interpreted as being commensurate with the social conditions at the time of separation.

The effects of social isolation on the behavior of juvenile domestic cats.

The effects of social isolation on the behavior of juvenile domestic cats were assessed by rearing 4 male and 4 female infant kittens in each of the following rearing conditions: (1) mother-littermate; (2) mother-only; (3) brooder-littermate; and (4) brooder-only. They were then tested twice a week individually and twice a week socially from 2 to 6 1/2 months of age in a playroom, utilizing multiple categories of behavior. The mother-only-reared juveniles were hyperactive in both object play (when tested individually) and social play. The brooder-only-reared kittens displayed enhanced socially directed behavior and were generally hypergregarious, whereas the brooder-littermate-reared kittens displayed retarded social behavior. Observations indicated that littermate-deprived kittens did not learn social communication skills and that some prolonged separation effects existed for littermate-reared kittens. The results suggest that the determinants of social play are more complex than the determinants of object play.

Physical fitness and Embedded Figures Test performance of elementary school children.

The relationship between physical fitness and field independence was assessed by measuring embedded-figures test performance in the following four groups of children in Grades 4 through 6: (1) 93 boys high in physical fitness, (2) 92 girls high in physical fitness, (3) 67 boys low in physical fitness, and (4) 77 girls low in physical fitness. The group of girls low in physical fitness was significantly more field dependent than the other three groups. No significant differences were found among the other three groups. It appears that skill in physical activities may be related to the embedded-figures test performance of girls, but not boys. In fact, girls skilled in physical activities may be as field independent as boys.