Relationship between Vertical Orientation in the Rod and Frame Test and in a Compensatory Tracking Task

Abstract

Twelve selected naval aviators were given the Rod and Frame Test and were run through an experimental test involving a compensatory tracking task that had two conditions of proprioceptive feedback (kinetic and static). 5 Ss, classified as “body oriented,” on the Rod and Frame Test, had a lower RMS roll score on the compensatory tracking than 5 Ss classified as “frame oriented.” In addition to this finding, the Rod-and-Frame data of the aviator sample were compared to Witkin's and Asch's data of 1948. A striking similarity on both constant and average error was observed between Witkin's and Asch's sample and the present group. Explanation for the differences in performance under the two conditions of the tracking task for the two categories of Ss was offered in terms of perceptual style.

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