Individual Differences in Responses to Induced Perceptual Conflict

Examining reactions to experimentally induced perceptual conflict may be a useful method of studying perceptual/cognitive disorganization and adaptive features of personality. Changes in field-dependence (rod-and frame test) were assessed in introverted and extraverted subjects (17-19 yr.) who were exposed to inversion of the visual field. Tolerance of ambiguity was also assessed. There were no significant differences between introverts (n = 20) and extraverts (n = 16) on preinversion measures of field-dependence. However, extraverts became more field-dependent on first exposure to inversion and maintained a generally higher level of field-dependence. Introverts became more field-dependent only after walking in the inverted visual condition and after a major change in exposure conditions. No significant differences in post-inversion levels of field-dependence were observed.