FIELD DEPENDENT & FIELD INDEPENDENT LEANERS | TEACHING APTITUDE | NTA UGC NET PAPER 1 | JUNE 2020

JUNE 2020

From the following list of learner characteristics, identify those which are associated with ‘field independent’ learners:

1. Focuses on facts and principles
2. Perceives global aspects of concepts and materials
3. Prefers and likes to compete
4. Can organize information by himself/herself
5. Likes to cooperate

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. A, B and C only
2. B, C and D only
3. A, C and D only
4. C, D and E only

Ans: 3

Field Dependence–Independence (FDI) is a widely studied dimension of cognitive styles designed to measure an individual’s ability. Theorists define these two cognitive styles in terms of how they are psychologically different – which makes this a useful model for teachers trying to understand their learners. It is a concept that relates to the relatively persuasive way individual learners acquire, structure and process information. It concerns how people perceive, think, solve problems and learn. This approach to cognitive style or so it has been claimed, has implications for the effectiveness of individual and organisational learning.

Field Dependent Learners

• Prefers to work with others to achieve a common goal.
• Likes to cooperate
• Practice and learn by
• Global learners
• Tend to perceive the whole field or situation and focus on general meaning. They are more relational.

Field Independent Learners

• Motivated by impersonal, analytical activities that do not necessitate a group-type approach.
• Likes to compete.
• Rational appeal without consulting other
• Analytical learners
• Tend to perceive elements independently of a context or field and focus on details.