Effects of diversity in cognitive restructuring skills on human-computer performance

The objective of this study was to determine if more efficient performance in hierarchical computer environments could be obtained from field-dependent (low technical aptitude) individuals by manipulating information structuring requirements. A three-dimensional (task complexity, quality of integration, and level of differentiation) conceptual model was proposed to explain differences in memory organization which were suggested to lead to computer performance differences. The model was tested with 36 subjects, 18 identified as field-dependent and 18 as field-independent. The subjects performed the information search task under three task conditions, two structured by the experimenter and one by the subjects. The results indicated that the effects of differences in the organization of task information on computer performance time can be controlled for by providing subjects with a period of time dedicated to the acquisition of a system's structure.