Associative learning and perceptual style: Are associated events perceived analytically or as a whole?

Abstract

The present study examined whether the formation of associations is affected by individual differences in perceptual style (analytic vs. holistic). Ninety undergraduate students were tested on their ability to associate concurrent events (i.e. word—colour) and were assessed on measures of field dependence and intelligence. The analysis revealed that analytic perceptual style (field independence) was associated with better performance on associative learning, and that this relationship was retained after controlling for differences in intelligence, age, and gender. The obtained results lent support to elemental theories of associative learning suggesting that concurrent stimuli tend to be perceived as separate units.