Percepjual and Motor Skills, 1976,43, 121-122. @ Perceptual and Motor Skills 1976
EFFECT OF STRESS ON FIELD DEPENDENCE VIKTOR SARRIS, EDGAR HEINEKEN, A N D HILDEGARD PETERS University of Frankfurt a n Main, West Germany St6mmary.-60 subjects were tested in the rod-and-frame test under flicker conditions (stress). As compared to scores in a control sirnation (no flicker), the rod-and-frame scores were large under stress and increased monotonically during the session. Furthermore, both intra- and interindividual variability of rodand-frame performance changed under stress conditions in a consistent manner. The general results, which clearly point to a reliable influence of stress on field dependency, are discussed within the methcdological framework of Witkin's theory of perception and personality. Scvrral studies have attempted to state functional relationships between stress and field dependency ( 1 ) . Field dependency is usually measured by some version of the Rod-andframe Test, as used by Wititin and others ( 4 ) . In the present experiment the "stressor" was provided by two variations of a low flicker frequency light which are known to cause the subject discomfort ( 6 ) . The basic research aim was to verify the general psychophysiological principle which states that reliable and valid intra- and interindividual differences in performance are maximized under stress. The basic experimental methodology, which corresponds with Witkin's general test requirements ( 8 ) , has been described and critically discussed at length elsewhere ( 7 ) . The usual rod-and-frame configuration was presented within a hemispheric apparatus (Ganzfeld), which was developed by Musahl and Sarris' somewhat according to the general principle described by Cohen ( 2 ) . The brightness was held constant at about 30 lux, and the flicker frequency could be experimentally controlled. Sixty students from different faculties, who were experimentally naive ( 2 8 female and 32 male students) and whose mean age was 22 yr., served as subjects. Each one was tested five times under each of 10 different initial rod positions [45", 33", 28'. 15", 5" (left); 5 " , 15", 28", 33", 45" (right)], including two typical frame inclinations ( 5 " left, 28' left). The initial rod-and-frame positions were varied in a balanced manner throughout the experimental session. Five blocks of 1 0 successive trials were built by randomization. Half of the subjects were tested under Flicker Condition 1: 0.8 cps; the other half under Flicker Condition 2: 2.2 cps. Each session lasted about 25 min. The psychophysical procedure of adjusunent was employed, i.e., each subject had to adjust the "rod" mechanically to a subjective vertical. The tilt between the objective and subjective "vertical" as measured by degrees of inclination served as the dependent variable. In a 2 X 5 mixed factorial design Factor A (flicker frequency) represented a fixed factor (two levels) and Factor B a repeated-measurements factor ( 5 blocks). Since neither sex, inclination of frame, nor variations in flicker proved to influence the rod-and-frame scores in a scatistically reliable sense, the respective data were pooled for further inferential statistical analysis. The block factor, however, did give a statistically significant linear trend (FLU = 8.79, p < 0.01) in that the perceptual error (rod-andframe scores) increased during the experimental session but not in the control condition (without flicker). This trend is depicted in Fig. 1A. It should also be noted h a t errors, 'The main data were collected by Hildegard Peters under the supervision of Vikror Sarris and Edgar Heineken. The control data of Fig. 1A are the outcome of a reanalysis of some empirical materials stemming from Hans-Peter Musahl's dissertation work (1975), which was suggested and supervised by the first author. The authors wish to thank also H.-P. Musahl for technical help and Susan Zorn for stylistic improvements in the paper.
V. SARRlS, ET AL.
T R I A L - BLOCKS
T R I A L - BLOCKS
FIG. 1. Means and intra- and interindividual variances of rod-and-frame scores under conditions of stress o n the average, were higher than the control readings. Both intra- and interindividual variances followed a reliable trend over testing time (see Fig. l B ) , i.e., after a clear monotonic increase in variability, the intra- and interindividual variances reduced slightly, which was presumably due to habituation, stress, and some counter-regulative psychophysiological compensation. An over-all view of the data suggests a rypical response pattern under stress. T h e general results may be considered permissible within the framework of Witkin's theory of "field dependence," in that maximal intra- and interindividual differences in the errors are a necessary prerequisite for the establishment of valid personality correlates. I n fact, it might be that under specific stress conditions, Witkin's perceptual personality theory fits much better than has thus far been proven o n strictly empirical grounds ( 3 ) . Our main results could also be evaluated in light of, e.g., a study by Kurie and Mordkoff ( 5 ) , who demonstrated that rod-and-frame scores increased under aftereffects of "srnsory deprivation." At the present stage of inquiry, such comparative results could pose new and interesting aspects for further investigations of "field-dependency" correlates. REFERENCES 1. COHEN, S. 1. Central nervous system functioning in altered sensory environments. In M. H. Appley & R. Trumbull (Eds.), P~ycholugicalstsess. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1967. Pp. 77-121. 2. COHEN, W . Spatial and textual characteristics of the Ganzfeld. American J o w n a l of P~ychology,1957, 70, 403-410. 3. CRONBACH,L. J. Essentials of psychological testing. (3rd ed.) New York: Harper & Row, 1970. in visual perception. London: Crosby Lockwood Staples. 4. DAvIDOFF, J. B. Diffe~e?zces 1975. 5. KURIE,G . D., & MORDKOPP,A. M. Effects of brief sensory deprivation and somatic concentration on two measures of field dependence. Percept~daland Motor Skills, 1970, 31, 683-687. 6. LANDIS, C. Someth~ngabout flicker-fusion. Scientific Monthly, 1951, 9, 308-314. 7. MUSAHL,H.-P. Untersuchungen zum Konzept der sog. Feldabhangigkeit ( W i t k i n ) : Eine experimentelle Grundlagenstudie. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Univer. of Diisseldorf, 1975. 8. WITKIN, H. A., DYK,R. B., FATERSON,H. F., GOODENOUGH,D. R., & KARP, S. A. Psychological differentiation. New York: Wiley, 1962. Accepted Jrme 14, 1976.
EFFECT OF STRESS ON FIELD DEPENDENCE VIKTOR SARRIS, EDGAR HEINEKEN, A N D HILDEGARD PETERS University of Frankfurt a n Main, West Germany St6mmary.-60 subjects were tested in the rod-and-frame test under flicker conditions (stress). As compared to scores in a control sirnation (no flicker), the rod-and-frame scores were large under stress and increased monotonically during the session. Furthermore, both intra- and interindividual variability of rodand-frame performance changed under stress conditions in a consistent manner. The general results, which clearly point to a reliable influence of stress on field dependency, are discussed within the methcdological framework of Witkin's theory of perception and personality. Scvrral studies have attempted to state functional relationships between stress and field dependency ( 1 ) . Field dependency is usually measured by some version of the Rod-andframe Test, as used by Wititin and others ( 4 ) . In the present experiment the "stressor" was provided by two variations of a low flicker frequency light which are known to cause the subject discomfort ( 6 ) . The basic research aim was to verify the general psychophysiological principle which states that reliable and valid intra- and interindividual differences in performance are maximized under stress. The basic experimental methodology, which corresponds with Witkin's general test requirements ( 8 ) , has been described and critically discussed at length elsewhere ( 7 ) . The usual rod-and-frame configuration was presented within a hemispheric apparatus (Ganzfeld), which was developed by Musahl and Sarris' somewhat according to the general principle described by Cohen ( 2 ) . The brightness was held constant at about 30 lux, and the flicker frequency could be experimentally controlled. Sixty students from different faculties, who were experimentally naive ( 2 8 female and 32 male students) and whose mean age was 22 yr., served as subjects. Each one was tested five times under each of 10 different initial rod positions [45", 33", 28'. 15", 5" (left); 5 " , 15", 28", 33", 45" (right)], including two typical frame inclinations ( 5 " left, 28' left). The initial rod-and-frame positions were varied in a balanced manner throughout the experimental session. Five blocks of 1 0 successive trials were built by randomization. Half of the subjects were tested under Flicker Condition 1: 0.8 cps; the other half under Flicker Condition 2: 2.2 cps. Each session lasted about 25 min. The psychophysical procedure of adjusunent was employed, i.e., each subject had to adjust the "rod" mechanically to a subjective vertical. The tilt between the objective and subjective "vertical" as measured by degrees of inclination served as the dependent variable. In a 2 X 5 mixed factorial design Factor A (flicker frequency) represented a fixed factor (two levels) and Factor B a repeated-measurements factor ( 5 blocks). Since neither sex, inclination of frame, nor variations in flicker proved to influence the rod-and-frame scores in a scatistically reliable sense, the respective data were pooled for further inferential statistical analysis. The block factor, however, did give a statistically significant linear trend (FLU = 8.79, p < 0.01) in that the perceptual error (rod-andframe scores) increased during the experimental session but not in the control condition (without flicker). This trend is depicted in Fig. 1A. It should also be noted h a t errors, 'The main data were collected by Hildegard Peters under the supervision of Vikror Sarris and Edgar Heineken. The control data of Fig. 1A are the outcome of a reanalysis of some empirical materials stemming from Hans-Peter Musahl's dissertation work (1975), which was suggested and supervised by the first author. The authors wish to thank also H.-P. Musahl for technical help and Susan Zorn for stylistic improvements in the paper.
V. SARRlS, ET AL.
T R I A L - BLOCKS
T R I A L - BLOCKS
FIG. 1. Means and intra- and interindividual variances of rod-and-frame scores under conditions of stress o n the average, were higher than the control readings. Both intra- and interindividual variances followed a reliable trend over testing time (see Fig. l B ) , i.e., after a clear monotonic increase in variability, the intra- and interindividual variances reduced slightly, which was presumably due to habituation, stress, and some counter-regulative psychophysiological compensation. An over-all view of the data suggests a rypical response pattern under stress. T h e general results may be considered permissible within the framework of Witkin's theory of "field dependence," in that maximal intra- and interindividual differences in the errors are a necessary prerequisite for the establishment of valid personality correlates. I n fact, it might be that under specific stress conditions, Witkin's perceptual personality theory fits much better than has thus far been proven o n strictly empirical grounds ( 3 ) . Our main results could also be evaluated in light of, e.g., a study by Kurie and Mordkoff ( 5 ) , who demonstrated that rod-and-frame scores increased under aftereffects of "srnsory deprivation." At the present stage of inquiry, such comparative results could pose new and interesting aspects for further investigations of "field-dependency" correlates. REFERENCES 1. COHEN, S. 1. Central nervous system functioning in altered sensory environments. In M. H. Appley & R. Trumbull (Eds.), P~ycholugicalstsess. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1967. Pp. 77-121. 2. COHEN, W . Spatial and textual characteristics of the Ganzfeld. American J o w n a l of P~ychology,1957, 70, 403-410. 3. CRONBACH,L. J. Essentials of psychological testing. (3rd ed.) New York: Harper & Row, 1970. in visual perception. London: Crosby Lockwood Staples. 4. DAvIDOFF, J. B. Diffe~e?zces 1975. 5. KURIE,G . D., & MORDKOPP,A. M. Effects of brief sensory deprivation and somatic concentration on two measures of field dependence. Percept~daland Motor Skills, 1970, 31, 683-687. 6. LANDIS, C. Someth~ngabout flicker-fusion. Scientific Monthly, 1951, 9, 308-314. 7. MUSAHL,H.-P. Untersuchungen zum Konzept der sog. Feldabhangigkeit ( W i t k i n ) : Eine experimentelle Grundlagenstudie. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Univer. of Diisseldorf, 1975. 8. WITKIN, H. A., DYK,R. B., FATERSON,H. F., GOODENOUGH,D. R., & KARP, S. A. Psychological differentiation. New York: Wiley, 1962. Accepted Jrme 14, 1976.
