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The purpose of this research was to analyze the effects of a writing strategy for text production among primary school students with different cognitive styles (CS) in the field dependence-independence (FDI) dimension. The writing strategy is based on collaborative work, autonomous work, and work integrating technology, which is referred to as ACOTEC. The study was developed with a population of 63 students distributed in two randomly formed groups: one control and one experimental group. The control group developed writing exercises guided by a conventional strategy following the writing teaching processes according to the institution's curriculum, while the experimental group adopted the ACOTEC strategy for the writing exercises. The results show the promising effects of the strategy on improving text production skills among primary school students with different CS in the FDI dimension.

Simultaneous interpreting (SI) is a cognitively complex activity due to the concurrent nature of receiving and producing messages. Previous research confirms that SI is profoundly influenced by cognitive, attitudinal, and psychological mechanisms. Following this line of enquiry, the present investigation proposes a unique model by integrating cognitive and psychological factors related to the professional performance in SI. Specifically, this study examined a model to test the predictive and mediational effects of emotional intelligence, creativity, self-efficacy, and field dependence/independence (FD/FI) on simultaneous interpreting. A total of 248 university students majoring in Translation Studies completed measures of General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Emotional-Quotient Inventory (EQ-I), Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT), General Embedded Figures Test (GMFT), and two SI tasks, namely the oral cloze test (OCT) and the listening and memory recall exercise (LMRE). The path analysis supported the direct effect of creativity and its indirect effects mediated by FD/FI on SI. Emotional intelligence made only a significant indirect effect on SI through FD/FI. Self-efficacy, on the other hand, made only a significant direct effect on SI. Emotional intelligence and creativity also contributed significantly to the prediction of FD/FI. The analyses also revealed a significant correlation between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy and also between creativity and emotional intelligence. Finally, FD/FI directly predicted simultaneous interpreting. Other hypothesized associations were not found to be statistically significant. The findings suggest that psychological attributes can have a great impact on students' performance in simultaneous interpreting training exercises. Implications of the study and the research avenues are discussed.

The present research studies the effects of motivational scaffolding that favor self-efficacy and improve learning achievement in students with different cognitive styles in the Field Dependence/Independence (FDI) dimension, when they interact in an e-learning environment on mathematics. The research has an experimental design with two groups and a posttest. One group of students interacted with an e-learning environment that contained the motivational scaffolding within its structure and the other group interacted with a computational environment without the scaffolding. The results showed significant differences in learning achievement and academic self-efficacy attributable to the effect of the scaffolding. In addition, it was found that the interaction with the computational environment neutralized cognitive style effects.

Insignificant consideration in multimedia research has been given to the features that are associated with cognitive functioning in general, and working memory (WM) in particular for preschoolers. As correlational research works discovered a close association between WM and learning achievement, multimedia research works that are tapping into preschoolers' WM not only has the potential to improve preschoolers' academic performance, but also to close the gap in multimedia research on cognitive functioning. Baddeley's WM and learning theories justifies the use of physical artefacts as an outstanding means to complete the set of sensory input for information processing in WM. Thus the researchers designed and developed a genre of multimedia that combined the physical artefacts. As physical artefacts graspable and manipulable for concrete experience, the researchers designated them as "graspable multimedia". The researchers had conducted a research that inquired the potential of the prototype of such multimedia system, "GraspLearn", into the WM of preschoolers. In the research, learning mode, "GraspLearn" and conventional multimedia ("CLearn") systems were set as independent variable, WM capacity (WMC) as the dependent variable cognitive style (field-dependent and field-independent) as the moderator variables. Analyses on 248 preschoolers reveal that the "GraspLearn" system did not improve preschoolers' WMC significantly more than "CLearn". Interaction analyses by cognitive style with learning mode reports relationship between learning mode and did not differ by cognitive style. The culmination of such research drew a prognostic of the shortfall in capacity of the graspable multimedia in realm of cognitive functioning of preschoolers.

Illustration is always used as an example to make the written text or the utterance more clear in general. In Winarski's opinion (1997), one picture equals thousands of words. That is to say, illustrations are capable to express the meaning of unfamiliar language or a great deal of information in the reading material by vivid pictures, tables, drawings, paintings and so on. As a result, illustrations are applied to many different fields including English language teaching. Based upon Song's 3 types of illustration classification (2005), decorational illustrations, explainable illustrations and promotive illustrations, this paper tries to investigate the effects of illustrations on the reading performance of senior high school students with different cognitive styles (field-dependence, field-mix and field-independence) in the process of English reading. The result shows that: (1) There is a significant correlation between illustration types and reading performance in terms of field-dependent students. The coefficient of explainable illustration to reading peformance is the highest, while the lowest coefficient is decorational illustration. (2) As for field-mixed participants, their reading performance is also closely associated with illustrations. However, the coefficients are lower than that of field-dependent participants. Decorational illustration has no obvious relation to reading performance. Explainable illustration also reaches the highest coefficient, and it can better improve student reading score than promotive illustration. (3) Speaking of field-independent students, no correlation has been found between decorational, promotive illustration and reading performance. However, there exists a significant correlation between explainable illustration and reading performance for field-independent participants.

Cognitive styles defined as the way by which individuals prefer to use in order to obtain, edit, utilize, remember the information are discussed as the indication of individual differences in many studies. The study aims to investigate behavioral data of mathematics teacher candidates categorized according to their cognitive styles while they perform subtraction operations with small and big numbers. Participants of the study were 30 teacher candidates, 15 of whom have field-dependent cognitive style while 15 of whom have field-independent cognitive style. Obtained data was analyzed in terms of accuracy and reaction time according to the cognitive style. When it was investigated in terms of accuracy, it was found that there was a significant difference between groups according to only small numbers. In terms of reaction type, however, two groups did not differ in terms of both small and big numbers. Moreover, it is seen that field-dependent participants spent more time while they solve subtraction operations with big numbers.

This study is expected to determine the impact of a program based on the cooperative learning methodology. This, in comparison to a traditional learning situation in both mathematics and language achievement. The study was carried out on a group of fourth grade students of primary school. In addition, it tried to find the differential impact according to the cognitive style in the field dependence-independence dimension. This work was carried out with 76 students of the Colegio José Martí I.E.D. (Bogotá--Colombia) ranging from 8-12 years of age. The control group received a traditional teaching methodology and the experimental group received the cooperative learning program, composed of 35 sessions (from July to November 2009). All the participants were tested in mathematics and language performance, before and after the intervention. All of them were tested in cognitive style as well. The results suggested that the cooperative learning methodology benefited importantly the academic achievement of the students in mathematics in contrast to the competitive and individualist situations. The results also suggested that the three cognitive style groups were positively affected from the cooperative learning situation. These results were not found in the language area.

Synaesthesia is highly prevalent in autism spectrum disorder. We assessed the relation between the degree of autistic traits (Autism Spectrum Quotient, AQ) and the degree of synaesthesia in a neurotypical population, and hypothesized both are related to a local bias in visual perception. A positive correlation between total AQ scores and the degree of synaesthesia was found, extending previous studies in clinical populations. Consistent with our hypothesis, AQ-attention to detail scores were related to increased performance on an Embedded Figures Task and reduced susceptibility to visual illusions. We found no relation between autistic traits and performance on a motion coherence task, and no relation between synaesthesia and local visual perception. Possibly, this relation is reserved for supra-threshold synaesthetes.

Recent language testing research investigates factors other than language proficiency that may be responsible for systematic variance in language test performance. One such factor is the test takers' cognitive styles. The present study was carried out with the aim of finding the probable effects of Iranian EFL learners' cognitive styles on their performance on cloze tests. For purposes of the present study, it was hypothesized that field (in)dependence would introduce systematic variance into Iranian EFL learners' cloze test performance. 30 female students all majoring in English Translation at Shiraz Islamic Azad University took the Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT), a reduced version of TOEFL test, and a cloze test. The results of the present study provided evidence that the field-dependent (FD, hereafter) subjects performed the same as their field independent (FI, hereafter) counterparts on the cloze test. It was, therefore, concluded that test takers' cognitive styles may not be viewed as a source of systematic variance in performance on cloze tests and hence, may not be a source of test bias. (Contains 5 tables.)

An important pedestrian skill that young people with intellectual disabilities (ID) (mental retardation) find difficult is the ability to find a safe place to cross the road. Safe pedestrian behaviour relies on cognitive skills, including the ability to focus attention on the traffic environment and ignore irrelevant stimuli. Individuals with ID consistently demonstrate selective attention deficiencies. Other factors such as individual differences in cognitive style might play a role in road safety. The aims of the present study were to test any possible significant relationship between attention, cognitive style and identification of safe and dangerous road-crossing sites in preadolescents with ID. Participants were 40 boys with mild ID. Attention and field dependence-independence were assessed using the visual attention subtest of the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment and the Children's Embedded Figures Test (CEFT), respectively. The participants were subdivided into two groups, matched on IQ. The two groups differed significantly in mean score on the visual attention subtest and on the CEFT. Analysis of variance showed that preadolescents with higher scores on both tests performed better than those who were more filed dependent and less attentive. Attention and cognitive style should be considered in the planning of road safety training for individuals with ID. (Contains 4 tables.)

Since its initial development, the embedded figures test (EFT) has been used extensively to measure local-global perceptual style. However, little is known about the perceptual factors that influence target detection. The current study aimed to investigate "disembedding" in children with and without ASD, aged 8-15 years, using the newly developed, stimulus-controlled L-EFT, M-EFT and D-EFT. Firstly, results revealed superior disembedding for children with ASD, irrespective of the type of target or embedding context, although the ASD group took more time in both the M-EFT and D-EFT. Secondly, the number of target lines continuing into the context proved more of a hindrance for the controls. Taken together, these findings provide strong evidence to support the notion of superior disembedding in ASD.

Multimedia students' dependence on information from the outside world can have an impact on their ability to identify and locate information from multiple resources in learning environments and thereby affect the construction of mental models. Field dependence-independence has been used to assess the ability to extract essential information from the environment. This study utilized eye-tracking technology to explore whether field-dependent and field-independent (FI) learners differed in their visual searching efficiency and multimedia learning performance. The FI learners outperformed field-dependent learners in posttest indices. In addition, FI learners were better able to identify visual cues and demonstrated efficient visual search patterns when learning using different information formats. The research findings echoed previous findings: The dependence on information in the context of learning can affect learners' visual search efficiency and learning performance. The findings of this study suggest that adaptable learning environments that provide a rich variety of media may benefit learners with different levels of information-dependence. Applying eye-tracking technology enabled blueprints to be created pertaining to the learners' information processing. However, additional research techniques, such as think-aloud exercises, would enable deeper understanding of how learners construct mental models of a knowledge base in a multimedia learning environment.

The research reviews the existing relationship between teachers' computer self-efficacy, cognitive style in the field dependence-independence (FDI) dimension, and technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK). It also inquired into the influence of teachers' performance area on self-efficacy and TPACK. In total, 208 teachers from a public education institution in Valle de Tenza, Boyacá, Colombia, participated in the study. The Embedded Figures Test (EFT), self-efficacy, and TPACK tests were applied. A correlations analysis and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed. The results showed significant associations between cognitive style, self-efficacy, technological knowledge, and TPACK. In addition, they evidenced the existence of significant differences in self-efficacy, technological knowledge, and TPACK, according to the performance area and cognitive style.

The aim of this study was to identify specific cognitive abilities that predict functional outcome in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and to clarify the contribution of those abilities and their relationships. In total, 41 adults with ASD performed cognitive tasks in a broad range of neuro- and social cognitive domains, and information concerning functional outcomes was obtained. Regression analyses revealed that emotion perception and verbal generativity predicted adaptive functioning directly, and the former mediated between the other two. These findings provide the first evidence of a triadic relationship among neuro- and social cognition and functional outcome in this population. Our results suggest that psychosocial interventions targeting these cognitive abilities could benefit social adaptation in adults with ASD.

The present research's objective is to examine the effects of metacognitive scaffolding and cognitive style in the Field Dependence-Independence (FDI) dimension on cognitive load (CL) and learning achievement (LA) in high school students, when they interact with a hypermedia environment on philosophy (logic). Fifty-four students belonging to two eleventh grade courses from a public school in Bogotá - Colombia participated in the study. One of the student courses interacted with a hypermedia environment that contained, within its structure, the metacognitive scaffolding. The other course interacted with the hypermedia environment that did not have the scaffolding. Students were given the Embedded Figures Test (EFT) to classify them into field dependent, intermediate, and independent subjects. A Repeated Measures Analysis was conducted with two intra-subject variables: (1) CL and (2) LA. Findings indicate that significant differences exist between intrinsic and extraneous cognitive load because of the effect of the metacognitive scaffolding. Students that interacted with the metacognitive scaffolding exhibited significantly greater achievements than those that did not use it. The field independent students also exhibited significant differences in CL with respect to their field independent and intermediate classmates.

The increasing advance of mobile devices and wireless technologies has generated great interest in ubiquitous learning (u-learning) among academia, practitioners, and policy makers. However, design elements that incorporate learning styles and learning strategies into u-learning system applications in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education are still limited. There are two objectives in this research. First, we developed a Ubiquitous Learning Instruction System with Augment Reality features (UL-IAR) to improve the performance of EFL learning with authentic situations. Second, we examined whether different learning strategies and cognitive styles affect learning performance in using UL-IAR. We conducted field experiments to investigate the appropriation of learning strategies and cognitive styles in using UL-IAR to learn EFL. The results showed that learning strategies and users' cognitive styles affect learning performance in using UL-IAR. Individuals with field dependent cognitive style fit enforcing learning strategy better than other users who are field independent and mix field cognitive styles. Our findings provide theoretical and practical insights for pedagogies that are suitable for u-learning. Our findings also contribute to the practice of AR and u-learning system development.

People with autism show superior performance to controls on the Embedded Figures Test (EFT). However, studies examining the relationship between autistic-like traits and EFT performance in neurotypical individuals have yielded inconsistent findings. To examine the inconsistency, a meta-analysis was conducted of studies that (a) compared high and low Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) groups, and (b) treated AQ as a continuous variable. Outcomes are consistent with superior visual search forming part of the broader autism phenotype, but in existing literature, this is evident only when comparing extreme groups. Reanalysis of data from previous studies suggests findings are unlikely to be driven by a small number of high scorers. Monte Carlo simulations are used to illustrate the effect of methodological differences on results.

Background: The behavioural symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are thought to reflect underlying cognitive deficits/differences. The findings in the literature are somewhat mixed regarding the cognitive features of ASD. This study attempted to address this issue by investigating a range of cognitive deficits and the prevalence of multiple cognitive atypicalities in a large population-based sample comprising children with ASD, their unaffected co-twins, and typically developing comparison children. Methods: Participants included families from the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS) where one or both children met diagnostic criteria for ASD. Overall, 181 adolescents with a diagnosis of ASD and 73 unaffected co-twins were included, plus an additional 160 comparison control participants. An extensive cognitive battery was administered to measure IQ, central coherence, executive function, and theory of mind ability. Results: Differences between groups (ASD, co-twin, control) are reported on tasks assessing theory of mind, executive function, and central coherence. The ASD group performed atypically in significantly more cognitive tasks than the unaffected co-twin and control groups. Nearly a third of the ASD group presented with multiple cognitive atypicalities. Conclusions: Multiple cognitive atypicalities appear to be a characteristic, but not universal feature, of ASD. Further work is needed to investigate whether specific cognitive atypicalities, either alone or together, are related to specific behaviours characteristic of ASD.

The embedded figures test has often been used to reveal weak central coherence in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here, we administered a more standardized automated version of the embedded figures test in combination with the configural superiority task, to investigate the effect of contextual modulation on local feature detection in 23 adolescents with ASD and 26 matched typically developing controls. On both tasks both groups performed largely similarly in terms of accuracy and reaction time, and both displayed the contextual modulation effect. This indicates that individuals with ASD are equally sensitive compared to typically developing individuals to the contextual effects of the task and that there is no evidence for a local processing bias in adolescents with ASD.

The study investigates age-related effects across the adult life span on spatial abilities (testing subabilities based on a distinction between spatial visualization, mental rotation, and perspective taking) and spatial self-assessments. The sample consisted of 454 participants (223 women and 231 men) from 20 to 91 years of age. Results showed nonlinear age-related effects for spatial visualization and perspective taking but linear effects for mental rotation; few or no age-related effects were found for spatial self-assessments. Working memory accounted for only a small proportion of the variance in all spatial tasks and had no effect on spatial self-assessments. Overall, our findings suggest that the influence of age on spatial skills across the adult life span is considerable, but the effects of age change as a function of the spatial task considered, and the effect on spatial self-assessment is more marginal.

This article explores the impact of perceptual cognitive styles on pre-service teachers' attitudes toward video games. Using a cognitive style continuum measuring field dependence and field independence, the authors conducted an exploratory study to measure the potential impact of cognitive style on pre-service teachers' dispositions towards the use of games in their future classrooms. Results showed that participants who planned on becoming teachers were generally found to be more field dependent than peers who elected other major fields of study. These participants also demonstrated a general reluctance towards using console games in their future classroom situations. After the brief experience playing the console game, however, these preservice teachers' attitudes changed significantly with regards to their game playing attitudes and preferences.

Enhanced performance upon the Embedded Figures Test (EFT) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has informed psychological theories of the non-social aspects that characterise ASD. The Extreme Male Brain theory of autism proposes that enhanced visual acuity underpins greater attention to detail (assessed by the EFT) which is a prerequisite for Systemizing. To date, however, no study has empirically examined these relationships. 13 males with ASD and 13 male controls were assessed upon tasks argued to reflect these levels of processing. The ASD group were found to have significantly greater visual acuity, EFT performance and Systemizing ability than the control group. However, regression analysis revealed that the strongest relationship was between visual acuity and EFT performance. (Contains 1 table and 2 figures.)

The aim of this investigation was to explore the degree to which specific subsets of autistic-like traits relate to performance on the Embedded Figures Test (Witkin et al. in A manual for the embedded figures test. Consulting Psychologists Press, Palo Alto, CA, 1971). In the first group-based investigation with this focus, students were selected for their extreme scores (either high or low) on each of the "Social Skills" and "Details/Patterns" factors of the Autism Spectrum Quotient (Baron-Cohen et al. in J Autism Dev Disord 31:5-17, 2001). The resulting 2 x 2 factorial design permitted examination of the degree to which the social and non-social autistic-like traits separately relate to EFT performance. Surprisingly, in two studies, superior EFT performance was found to relate only to greater social difficulty, suggesting that the local processing bias in autism may be linked specifically to the social deficits. (Contains 3 tables.)

Field-independence, or weak central coherence, is a recognised phenotype of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There is also evidence of cultural variation in this perceptual style, as neurotypical individuals from Western nations are more field-independent than neurotypical individuals from East-Asian nations. The majority of research on perceptual style in those with ASD has been carried out in Western nations therefore it is unclear whether increased field-independence in ASD is a culturally universal phenotype. Here, we assessed perceptual style in children with and without ASD from England and Singapore using the Children's Embedded Figures Test and the Framed-Line Test. We found increased field-independence in the English participants with ASD only, suggesting that weak central coherence in ASD is not culturally universal.

Enhancing students' problem-solving abilities has been recognized as an important and challenging issue for technology-enhanced learning. Thus, previous research has attempted to address this issue by developing various mechanisms, among which a cognitive apprenticeship model can particularly enhance students' abilities. However, it is not clear whether such a mechanism is suitable for every learner. Thus, this study examines the effects of human factors on problem-solving effectiveness in the cognitive apprenticeship model. Among various human factors, this study focuses on cognitive styles, with an emphasis on Witken's Field Dependence. The results indicate that Field Dependent learners can get great benefits from the cognitive apprenticeship model via collaborative learning. Implications for how to accommodate the needs of different cognitive style groups are discussed. (Contains 4 tables and 4 figures.)

The Embedded Figures Test assesses weak central coherence and individuals with autism are commonly assumed to perform superiorly; however, the evidence for this claim is somewhat mixed. Here, two large (N = 45 and 62) samples of high-functioning children (6-16 years) with autism spectrum disorder performed similarly to typically-developing children on accuracy and reaction time measures; this could not be attributed to insufficient power. Inconsistent past findings are most likely due to methodological and analysis techniques, as well as heterogeneity in central coherence within autism spectrum disorders. While this task has been useful in establishing weak central coherence as a cognitive theory in autism, inconsistent past findings and its inability to disentangle global and local processing suggest that it should be used with caution in the future.

The Embedded Figures Test (EFT) requires detecting a shape within a complex background and individuals with autism or high Autism-spectrum Quotient (AQ) scores are faster and more accurate on this task than controls. This research aimed to uncover the visual processes producing this difference. Previously we developed a search task using radial frequency (RF) patterns with controllable amounts of target/distracter overlap on which high AQ participants showed more efficient search than low AQ observers. The current study extended the design of this search task by adding two lines which traverse the display on random paths sometimes intersecting target/distracters, other times passing between them. As with the EFT, these lines segment and group the display in ways that are task irrelevant. We tested two new groups of observers and found that while RF search was slowed by the addition of segmenting lines for both groups, the high AQ group retained a consistent search advantage (reflected in a shallower gradient for reaction time as a function of set size) over the low AQ group. Further, the high AQ group were significantly faster and more accurate on the EFT compared to the low AQ group. That is, the results from the present RF search task demonstrate that segmentation and grouping created by intersecting lines does not further differentiate the groups and is therefore unlikely to be a critical factor underlying the EFT performance difference. However, once again, we found that superior EFT performance was associated with shallower gradients on the RF search task. (Contains 3 tables and 6 figures.)

The current review is concerned with an information processing model used in science education. The purpose is to summarise the current theoretical understanding, in published research, of a number of factors that are known to influence learning and achievement. These include field independence, working memory, long-term memory, and the use of long-term memory strategies. The implications of research for educational practice are discussed. It is recommended that educators consider models of information processing and adjust teaching practices accordingly. (Contains 1 figure.)

Field dependence-independence (FDI) has long been conceptualized and discussed as a cognitive style relevant to numerous educational approaches and outcomes. However, the FDI construct is most often measured as a cognitive ability, as opposed to a style, using instruments such as the Group-Embedded Figures test (GEFT) or the Hidden Figures Test (HFT). Specifically, FDI is typically measured as visuospatial ability and executive functioning in working memory. While measurement and use of FDI within psychological and educational research has often resulted in misleading or inconsistent discussion about cognitive styles, this review examines how the long history of FDI research continues to be relevant to contemporary instructional contexts. A broader recognition of FDI as ability is suggested in order to (a) better distinguish ability measurements from those of styles, (b) encourage a reinterpretation and awareness of theoretical connections among past studies that use instruments such as GEFT or HFT, and (c) highlight suggestions for future research and application, particularly with contemporary interactive multimedia learning tools.

The Embedded Figure Test (EFT) requires locating a simple shape embedded within a background of overlapping target-irrelevant scene elements. Observers with autism, or those with high levels of autistic-like traits, typically outperform matched comparison groups on the EFT. This research investigated the critical visual properties which give rise to this improved performance. The EFT is a search task and so here a radial frequency (RF) search task was created to directly explore efficacy of visual search and also the influence of element overlap on performance. In all conditions, the task was to detect whether the target RF3 (a triangular shape chosen for its visual properties) was present among a number of distracter RF4 (a square shape) patterns. The conditions employed were: "singles", where all the patterns were spatially discrete, "pairs", where two overlapping elements formed each cluster, and "quads", comprising four overlapping elements per cluster. Compared to students scoring low on the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ; n = 27), those scoring high on the AQ (n = 23) were faster on the EFT and also significantly less influenced by increasing set size of the stimulus array in all RF search task conditions. However, the group difference in RF search performance was unaffected by the amount of stimulus overlap. Thus a simple search task is sufficient to detect a performance advantage associated with higher levels of autistic traits and has the advantages of a solid footing in visual theory and being readily repeatable for the purpose of assessing performance variability and change with interventions. (Contains 5 figures and 1 table.)

The current research investigated, firstly, whether individuals with high levels of mild autistic-like traits display a similar profile of embedded figures test (EFT) and global motion performance to that seen in autism. Secondly, whether differences in EFT performance are related to enhanced local processing or reduced global processing in the ventral visual stream was also examined. Results indicated that people who scored high on the Autism-spectrum Quotient (AQ) were faster to identify embedded figures, and had poorer global motion and global form thresholds than low AQ scorers. However, the two groups did not differ on a task assessing lower-level input to the ventral stream. Overall the results indicate that individuals with high levels of autistic-like traits have difficulties with global integration in the visual pathways, which may at least partly explain their superior EFT performance.

This study examined gestalt perception in high-functioning autism (HFA) and its relation to tasks indicative of local visual processing. Data on of gestalt perception, visual illusions (VI), hierarchical letters (HL), Block Design (BD) and the Embedded Figures Test (EFT) were collected in adult males with HFA, schizophrenia, depression and normative controls. Individuals with HFA processed gestalt stimuli less in accord with gestalt laws, particularly regarding the principle of similarity. Gestalt processing correlated positively with global processing of the HL. EFT and BD performance correlated negatively with VI susceptibility in HFA. All clinical groups succumbed less to VI than the normative sample. Results suggest decreased gestalt perception in HFA, being associated with a more general local visual processing bias.

Recently, there is a growing interest in the automatic analysis of learner activity in web-based learning environments. The approach and system SIAM (System for Interaction Analysis by Machine learning) presented in this article aims at helping to establish a basis for the automatic analysis of interaction data by developing a data logging and analysis system based on a standard database server and standard machine learning techniques. The contribution is the integration of components which are appropriate for large amount of data. The analysis system has been connected to the web-based interactive learning environment for mathematics, ActiveMath, but is designed to allow for interfacing to other web-based learning environments, too. The results of several usages of this action analysis tool are presented and discussed. They indicate potentials for further development and usages. (Contains 3 tables and 5 figures.)

The aim of the present study was to assess the findings, reported in earlier studies, that individuals with autism spectrum disorders process visuo-spatial tasks faster than typically developing control persons. The participants in the present study were children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome (AS) or high-functioning autism (HFA) (N = 13), and a matched group of typically developing children and adolescents (N = 13). The results showed that the participants in the clinical group performed marginally less well than those in the control group on both the Block Design Test and the Embedded Figures Test, but the differences were not statistically significant. Thus, earlier findings suggesting that individuals with autism spectrum disorders solve non-social cognitive tasks faster than typically developing control persons were not replicated. The results are discussed with special reference to the hypothesis of weak central coherence. (Contains 3 tables.)

This study examined the relationship between everyday repetitive behavior (primary symptoms of autism) and performance on neuropsychological tests of executive function and central coherence (secondary symptoms). It was hypothesized that the frequency and intensity of repetitive behavior would be positively correlated with laboratory measures of cognitive rigidity and weak central coherence. Participants included 19 individuals (ages 10-19) with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD group) and 18 age- and IQ-matched typically developing controls (TD group). There was partial support in the ASD group for the link between repetitive behavior and executive performance (the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task). There was no support for a link between repetitive behavior and measures of central coherence (a Gestalt Closure test and the Embedded Figures Test). Further research on repetitive behaviors in autism may benefit from a focus on narrow behavioral and cognitive constructs rather than general categories. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)

We assessed the disembedding performance on the Embedded Figures Test (EFT) of high-functioning subjects with autism or autism spectrum disorders from multi-incidence families and the performance of their parents. The individuals with autism spectrum disorders were significantly faster than matched controls in locating the shape, but their parents were not faster than a control group of parents. However, both the individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their fathers made significantly fewer incorrect attempts before finding the right shape than matched controls. These results suggest that the number of incorrect attempts is a more subtle measure than accuracy or response time for assessing superior disembedding skills and therefore may be useful in the assessment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

Background: People with autism or Asperger Syndrome (AS) show altered patterns of brain activity during visual search and emotion recognition tasks. Autism and AS are genetic conditions and parents may show the "broader autism phenotype." Aims: (1) To test if parents of children with AS show atypical brain activity during a visual search and an empathy task; (2) to test for sex differences during these tasks at the neural level; (3) to test if parents of children with autism are hyper-masculinized, as might be predicted by the "extreme male brain" theory. Method: We used fMRI during a visual search task (the Embedded Figures Test (EFT)) and an emotion recognition test (the "Reading the Mind in the Eyes" (or Eyes) test). Sample: Twelve parents of children with AS, vs. 12 sex-matched controls. Design: Factorial analysis was used to map main effects of sex, group (parents vs. controls), and sex x group interaction on brain function. An ordinal ANOVA also tested for regions of brain activity where females greater than males greater than fathers = mothers, to test for parental hyper-masculinization. Results on EFT task: Female controls showed more activity in extrastriate cortex than male controls, and both mothers and fathers showed even less activity in this area than sex-matched controls. There were no differences in group activation between mothers and fathers of children with AS. The ordinal ANOVA identified two specific regions in visual cortex (right and left, respectively) that showed the pattern Females greater than Males greater than Fathers = Mothers, both in BA 19. Results on Eyes task: Male controls showed more activity in the left inferior frontal gyrus than female controls, and both mothers and fathers showed even more activity in this area compared to sex-matched controls. Female controls showed greater bilateral inferior frontal activation than males. This was not seen when comparing mothers to males, or mothers to fathers. The ordinal ANOVA identified two specific regions that showed the pattern Females greater than Males greater than Mothers = Fathers: left medial temporal gyrus (BA 21) and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BA 44). Conclusions: Parents of children with AS show atypical brain function during both visual search and emotion recognition, in the direction of hyper-masculinization of the brain. Because of the small sample size, and lack of age-matching between parents and controls, such results constitute a pilot study that needs replicating with larger samples.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the tendency for local processing style ("weak central coherence") and executive dysfunction in parents of subjects with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared with parents of individuals with early onset schizophrenia (EOS) and mental retardation (MR). Method: Sixty-two parents of subjects with ASD, 36 parents of subjects with EOS and 30 parents of subjects with MR were examined. Data on two scales indicative of local visual processing (Embedded Figures Test, Block Design) and on three executive function tests (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Tower of Hanoi, Trailmaking Test) were collected for all participants. Results: Parents of subjects with ASD performed significantly faster on the Embedded Figures Test compared with both control samples. No other substantial group differences were observed. Conclusions: The findings indicate that an increased tendency for local processing in terms of visual disembedding could be a relatively specific core feature of the broader cognitive phenotype of autism in parents.

This meta-analytic study is unique and significant in that all the 1,341 learners in 11 studies completed the Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT), interacted with the same instructional module, and completed the same five criterion tests measuring different types of educational objectives. Studies varied in presentation mode and type of independent variables: visualization, rehearsal and feedback strategies. Within each of the independent variables, variations (varied treatments) were examined. Visualization, feedback and rehearsal strategies were embedded into the instructional module as a result of item analyses. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the variations within each independent variable in terms of their effects in reducing the effect of learning style achievement differences associated with field independent (FI) and field dependent learners (FD). One hundred twenty two effect sizes were generated. Results are not only consistent with prior research related to the instructional effect of visualization, feedback and rehearsal but provide the foundation for significant hypothesis generation related to the instructional use of varied types of visualization, feedback, rehearsal strategies and presentation mode in terms of reducing achievement differences on different types of educational objectives associated with individual learning styles (FI & FD).

Adjunct questions inserted in text requires that an individual is retrieving known concepts and constructing the new meaning. In this process, the individual has to recall the knowledge just studied and locate exactly the location of the information. This study attempts to examine the (a) instructional effects of varied types of adjunct questions in facilitating student achievement of higher order levels of learning (comprehension), and (b) instructional effects of varied types of adjunct questions on the achievement of students identified as field independent/field dependent (FI/FD). One hundred thirty two college level students participated in the study. Results indicate that the FI students have sufficient learning style strategies to interact successfully without the use of questions for certain kinds of learning but their learning can be improved through the use of higher order adjunct questions. The achievement levels of FD learners can also be improved incrementally via the use of question types instigating deeper levels of information processing.

In the last of a three-part series, this study examined the information processing patterns of postsecondary American Indian/Alaska Native students attending community and tribal colleges in the Southwest. Using a survey design, students completed the Kolb Learning Style Inventory, the Briggs and Myers Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and the Oltman, Raskin and Witkin Group Embedded Figures Test. Three major results were revealed from the study. First, the students described their learning as a combination of learning by thinking and learning by watching. This is the same cognitive processing pattern found in elementary and secondary students. Second, the "ISTJ" from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator best described the personality influences on learning for these students. These individuals are practical, orderly, logical, and earn success by concentration and thoroughness. Finally, the results suggest that these students can draw equally from both analytical (field-independent) and global (field-dependent) forms of information processing.

Presents results of a study that explores factors of user-Web interaction in finding factual information, develops a conceptual framework for studying user-Web interaction, and applies a process-tracing method for conducting holistic user-Web studies. Describes measurement techniques and proposes a model consisting of the user, interface, and the World Wide Web. (Contains 41 references.) (Author/LRW)