SOCIO-CULTURAL CORRELATES OF COGNITIVE STYLE AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Information processing pattern is an essential component in learning. The differences in cognitive style are a crucial determinant of performance and adjustment in the sociocultural world. Thus, the socio-cultural environment is a critical variable for individual differences relating to cognitive processes. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of socio-cultural background on the adopted cognitive style (fielddependent/independent) of school children. The study utilized a sample of seventy-eight school-going children pooled from primary schools in rural and urban areas of the Enugu states of Nigeria. The Latent Test developed by Witkin et al. (1977) measured the participants' field-dependent/independent cognitive style. The t-test analysis performed on the data established a significant difference in cognitive styles between students from urban and rural settings. Thus, this indicates that the socio-cultural environment influences adopted the cognitive style.