Cognitive Style Revisited: Implications for Research in Art Production and Art Criticism

Abstract

The study of individual differences in cognition has been a sustained focus of many researchers in cognitive psychology, A number of theories have developed, among which is the Psychological Differentiation Theory of Herman Wit kin and his colleagues. This paper explicates his theory, identifies the strengths and weaknesses of his constructs in relation to art production and art criticism, relates behaviors characteristic of his field-independent and field-dependent dimensions to artistic behaviors, and derives implications for research on artistic development from this analysis and from recent studies in art education.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jessie Lovano-Kerr

Jessie Lovano-Kerr is professor, Art Education Department, Florida State University, Tallahassee.