On the Relation between Spatial Ability Field Dependence*

Field dependence and spatial ability are widely thought of as distinct psychological dimensions. We sought to evaluate the alternative hypothesis that these are, in fact, different labels for a common underlying dimension. A sample of 60 subjects was selected on the basis of scores on a test of spatial ability. These subjects completed two tests of field dependence--the Embedded Figures Test and the Rod-and-Frame Test--and two tests of spatial ability--the Spatial Relations subtests of the Multiple Aptitude Test and the Blocks Design subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). These particular tests were selected because of (1) their prevalent use in the literature and (2) their provision of paper-and-pencil and manipulative measures of each trait. Using J0reskog's (1970) method for the analysis of covariance matrices (LISREL-V), we estimated the intertrait correlation between field dependence and spatial ability to be indistinguishable from one. On this basis, we question whether field dependence should be viewed as a construct that is distinct from spatial ability.