Relationship of Role Identification, Self-Esteem, and Intelligence to Sex Differences in Field Independence

The results, obtained by standard multiple regression and analysis of covariance procedures, indicate that males are significantly more field-independent than females and intelligence does not account for the sex differential or for the role sex-identification plays in perceptual style.

Abstract

The relationships among perceptual field independence, biological sex, sex-role identity, self-esteem, and intelligence were explored. Tests measuring these variables were administered to 50 male and 50 female volunteers. The results, obtained by standard multiple regression and analysis of covariance procedures, indicate that (a) males are significantly more field-independent than females, (b) regardless of biological sex, subjects with relatively masculine role-identities are more field-independent than subjects with relatively feminine role-identities, (c) self-esteem is not significantly related to perceptual style, and (d) although intelligence has a significant positive relationship to perceptual field independence, intelligence does not account for the sex differential or for the role sex-identification plays in perceptual style.