Performance of MA-matched nonretarded and retarded children on measures of field-dependence.

Thirty-four nonretarded and 34 EMR children, matched on mental age, were given three tasks relating to Witkin's cognitive style construct. The sample scores of the retarded subjects were consistently lower than the nonretarded subjects' sample scores on each test. The nonretarded children's performance aligned with Witkin's analytical, field-independent cognitive style in contrast to the retarded children's performance which was characterized by a more global, field-dependent style. The results were interpreted in terms of possible cognitive style differences.