Some Implications of Cognitive Styles on Young Children's Play

Cognitive styles are broad, systematic characteristics that influence the persons’ responses in different situations. The persons’ cognitive style defines the strategies they use to respond and behave in each situation. The field dependence independence (FDI) dimension is the cognitive style construct that has generated more research for cognitive functioning and social behaviors. Researchers have identified behavioral attributes between field dependent and field independent persons. These attributes are pervasive and consistent, affecting several areas including the persons’ socialization. This paper describes the FDI characteristics in young children's social behaviors, including young children's social orientation, people vs. object orientation, social factors, cognitive performance, social competence, and age and sex differences.