Correlations among field dependence-independence, sex, sex-role stereotype, and age of preschoolers.
Preschoolers (27 boys, mean age = 4.7 yr.; 24 girls, mean age = 4.6 yr.) were assessed for field dependence-independence (Preschool Embedded Figures Test), sex-role stereotyping (Sex-role Learning Inventory), and receptive verbal intelligence (Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test--Revised). Relative to the girls, the boys were significantly less field-independent and significantly more sex-role stereotyped. After age and Peabody IQs were partialled out by multiple regression, same-sex typing in boys and cross-sex typing in girls were significant predictors of field independence. The regression analysis also suggested that, by 5.3 yr. of age, the boys as a group surpassed the girls on field independence. Limitations of the present research and educational implications of the over-all findings are discussed.
Chynn
E W
EW
College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032.
Garrod
A
A
Demick
J
J
DeVos
E
E
D000367:Age Factors; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005364:Field Dependence-Independence; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010553:Personality Development; D010556:Personality Tests; D011340:Problem Solving; D013240:Stereotyping