Field Dependence

Several of my posts are about traits for which there is a normal range, yet can cause unnecessary misunderstandings or conflicts. Often because someone finds a style irritating but doesn’t understand that a difference doesn’t mean wrong or bad. The post on Cognitive Pace, the speed at which a person thinks and speaks, is an example.

Field dependence (FD), and its opposite, field independence (FI), is another. This pair refers to a cognitive style involving the degree to which a person relies on external versus internal cues, originally for spatial awareness. After it was identified in the 1950s, the concept was extended to include other forms of cognition and emotional reasoning.

The thoughts and feelings of some are heavily influenced by surroundings, physical and emotional (FD). Others are influenced very little by such things, or not at all (FI). The former group may appear more emotionally open and sensitive to emotional climate, while the latter may appear more impersonal and indifferent to atmosphere. This pattern can be distinguished, however, from what people are actually feeling, and can be confused with introversion-extraversion. Neither preference is inherently superior or inferior, though those with opposite styles can certainly frustrate each other. As with many traits, a key is knowing what trait is better suited for the context in question. This is why we all need each other.

This does not have to be “managed” in a binary fashion, so that one style is excluded from a situation or environment. Most things in life require a balance in styles and traits, though this means all involved need to be accepting and patient. Also, in some social situations those with FI may be publicly ridiculed or excluded, while in some task-oriented situations those with FD may be treated similarly. None of this needs to happen.

Perhaps an example is in order. Let’s say you have a new hairstyle or clothing. With FD you may be seeking a positive reaction and be downtrodden if you don’t receive it. With FD you may not hope for or care at all about any reactions. But also, those with FD may have their day ruined and those with FI may be oblivious to the effect on others. Any form of dependence can be an emotional liability. The same may be true for any form of independence. Depending on how these are expressed.

There are other, more complicated examples. At work there may be a task that requires a quick resolution with little emotional impact. Give me the FI for that. Or there may be a task for which speed is not an issue but may have huge emotional consequences. I’ll take the FD then. Many, perhaps most, tasks require a blend of both traits and here, we need space, respect, and timing for both. Along with skilled navigation of the project along the way. You can add virtually any other pair of traits to this same example and the same would be true, all depending on the context.

We humans often have a tendency to prefer simple or easy solutions, such that we are selective or exclusionary about many things, including traits. Beware of that. Good outcomes are very often more complicated than that.

Know thyself. Know when you need your opposites, and welcome them.

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