Adolescents’ fluid intelligence and divergent thinking: the mediating effect of field dependent independent cognitive style

Abstract

ABSTRACT The current study provided empirical evidence on the mediating effect of field dependent independent cognitive style (FDI) in the association between fluid intelligence (Gf) and divergent thinking (DT) during adolescence. The experiment was carried out with 80 Italian adolescents (meanage = 16.40; SDage = 1.09; rangeage 15–18), who performed Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices, the Leuven Embedded Figure Test, and the Alternative Uses Task. Results revealed that Gf affected DT through the indirect effect of FDI, suggesting that adolescents’ DT represents a blend of different agents, such as information processing, reasoning, and cognitive strategies, which display different roles during divergent idea generation. Specifically, whereas Gf is essential for evaluating the degree of usability and functionality of new ideas, FDI is necessary for employing and managing Gf skills during the idea generation. Theoretical implications, limitations, and future research directions were discussed.