Field Dependence and Driver Visual Search Behavior

This paper reports on two studies that examined the relationship between field dependence and on-the-road visual search behavior. In the first study, concerned with eye movements in curve negotiation, it was found that field-dependent subjects have a less effective visual search pattern. In the second study, young and aged drivers were compared on several information processing tasks and on their ability to maintain their eyes closed part of the time while driving. Of the various information processing tasks, only field dependence and visual search time correlated significantly with the mean time the drivers needed to maintain their eyes open while driving, Together the two studies indicate that field dependent subjects require more time to process the available visual information and are less effective in their visual search pattern.