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Applied Linguistics 1992 13(2):133-148; doi:10.1093/applin/13.2.133
© 1992 by Oxford University Press
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Disembedded Figures in the Landscape:A Reappraisal ofL2 Research on Field Dependence/Independence

ROGER GRIFFITHS1 and RONALD SHEEN2

Nagoya University of Commerce and Business Administration japan
Tottori University Japan

The relationship between the so-called cognitive style of field dependence/independence and second-language learning has been investigated in some twenty published studies. Findings from these investigations havesubsequently been described in a number of influential, but largely uncritical, reviews. In this paper, it is contended that a critical review of the theoretical underpinnings, measurement instruments (embedded figures tests), and current status of the construct, leads to the inevitable conclusion that field dependence/independ-ence does not have, and never has had, any relevance for second-language learning. The concept is shown to be theoretically flawed, and embedded figures tests are shown to be ability measures rather than style measures. Second-language studies are consequently appraised on the extent to which they indicate recognition of these fundamental considerations and how these are, or are not, reflected in their hypotheses.


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