Perceptual field dependency: predisposing trait or consequence of alcoholism?

Perceptual field dependency often has been reported in alcoholics and frequently implicated as a predisposing trait in alcoholism. Comparing sons of alcoholics who are at high risk for alcoholism to sons of depressed fathers and control fathers (nonalcoholics without history of depression) revealed, however, no differences on the rod and frame test. These results do not support the hypothesis that field dependency is a risk factor in alcoholism.