title: Field-dependent-independent cognitive style in solving dynamics problems.
abstract: 251 senior middle school (Grade 11) students were tested on the Chinese Group Embedded Figures Test and Dynamic Problems Test. A 2 (cognitive style) x 2 (sex) analysis of variance indicated a nonsignificant effect with respect to cognitive style in solving easier Dynamics problems but a main significant effect in solving complex Dynamics problems. Multiple comparisons (post hoc t tests) indicated that cognitive style is a significant factor among boys but not girls. The difference between Field-independent students and Field-dependent students in solving complex Dynamics problems may be that the former students more easily form a clear map of motion than the latter students.
authors.affiliation: College of Mathematics, Physics and Informations Science, Zhejiang Normal University, China. frankwlj@163.com
authors.forename: Li-Jun
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ming-Zhang
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Ren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002681:China; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005364:Field Dependence-Independence; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010825:Physics / Q000193:education*; D011340:Problem Solving; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology