Physical Fitness and Embedded Figures Test Performance of Elementary School Children

Spatial ability in classic dancers and their perceptual style

The relation between spatial ability (body orientation and body awareness) and field dependence/independence was assessed by measuring performance on the Embedded Figures Test and WISC or WAIS Block Design at four different training levels in classical ballet, beginners to advanced, and a control group with no training in ballet, gymnastics, or sports (n = 70). No significant correlation was found between perceptual style or Block Design performance and body orientation or body awareness at any of the four levels of training. No significant differences were observed between the advanced group and the control group. Training in a particular type of spatial skill such as orientation within surrounding space was not related to the skill required to manipulate an abstractly represented space.

Embedded-Figures Test Performance and Self-Concept of Elementary School Children

This study investigated the relationship between Embedded Figures Test and Piers-Harris Self-concept scores for 160 boys and 169 girls in Grades 4 through 6. Field-independent girls had significantly higher self-concept scores than field-dependent girls. However, there was no significant difference between the self-concept scores of the field-independent and field-dependent boys.