Can College Academic Performance Be Predicted Using a Measure of Cognitive Style?
Ray Griffin, Godfrey Franklin · Journal of Educational Technology Systems · 1996
One hundred and forty-three subjects were identified as Field Independent or Field Dependent based on their performance on the Group Embedded Figures Test, a measure of cognitive style. Results indicated that Field Independent students performed significantly better on course tests and had higher academic potential as measured by the ACT, than Field Dependent students. A regression analysis was conducted to determine which measures would contribute variance to a course test (number correct) criterion. Although both the GEFT and the ACT were significantly related to course test performance, only the ACT contributed significant variance to the regression, F(1,141) = 12.99, r=.29, p <.01. A Principal Components Factor Analysis applied to the GEFT, ACT, and course test data identified two factors. The course tests were associated with factor 1 while the GEFT and ACT were more closely associated with factor 2. The regression and factor analysis results suggest that the ACT and GEFT tests are measuring similar or related constructs for this sample of subjects.