EEG coherence analysis and field dependence.

The sensitivity of EEG coherence analysis was examined by comparing two groups of subjects that differed on a measure of information processing style. The psychological theory of field-dependence was combined with a physiological model for interpreting the EEG and led to the prediction that field-dependent subjects would have lower alpha band coherence than field-independent subjects. This was empirically supported. The results also demonstrated a negative linear correlation between field-dependence and EEG coherence during an eyes-closed 'resting' condition. Under this condition the more field-dependent a subject was, the lower their coherence tended to be. These results supported the hypothesis that EEG coherence analysis may be a sensitive measure of the EEG correlates of cortical functioning.