Sex and cognitive influence on visual hemifield superiority for face and letter recognition

Two groups of field independent individuals (one M and one F) and two groups of field dependent individuals (one M and one F) were selected as subjects in the experiment. The classification of field dependence-independence was based on predetermined RFT and EFT standards. The subjects, all right-handed, were given a face and a letter recognition task in a tachistoscopic visual hemifield paradigm; reaction time with either hand was the dependent measure. field independent subjects of both sexes showed a clear right-field superiority for letter and a left-field superiority in both letter and face recognition, although of a smaller magnitude than the previous group. The results of the experiment do not support previous findings of no field superiority in females for face recognition; on the contrary, they provide additional evidence that measures of cognitive style significantly predict hemispheric specialization.