Lateral eye-movements, field dependence and denial

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Personality Psychology

Background:

• Conjugate lateral eye movements (CLEM) can differentiate individuals into distinct groups.
• These groups, termed 'left-movers' and 'right-movers,' exhibit variations in cognitive and personality traits.
• These differences may reflect hemispheric processing styles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between eye-movement patterns and psychological defense mechanisms.
• To explore the connection between field dependence, defense mechanisms, and eye-movement laterality.
• To examine potential neuropsychological underpinnings of denial.

Main Methods:

• Participants were categorized into left-movers and right-movers based on CLEM.
• Defense mechanisms, specifically denial, were assessed.
• Field dependence was measured.
• Gender differences in the observed relationships were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Left-movers showed a greater reliance on denial as a defense mechanism compared to right-movers.
• Field dependence was associated with denial and leftward eye movements in males, but not in females.
• These findings suggest a sex-specific relationship between cognitive style and defense mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Eye-movement laterality is associated with specific cognitive and personality characteristics, including defense style.
• The interplay between field dependence, denial, and eye-movement laterality may be sex-dependent.
• The study provides evidence for a potential neuropsychological basis for the defense mechanism of denial.