Goodenough's (1976) findings on field dependence/independence are extended here by focusing on the information processing stages of attention, encoding in short term and working memories, and storage and retrieval processes of long term memory. The reviewed research indicates that field independent and dependent individuals differ in the ability to restructure information in a perceptual and cognitive mode. This ability involves three components: (1) breaking down a complex stimulus into its component elements; (2) providing structure for an ambiguous stimulus complex; and (3) providing a different structure from that inherent in the stimulus complex. These studies indicate that field independent individuals are more adaptable in dealing with task ambiquity and the reorganization of information. Additional research is needed to more clearly identify the specific processes involved in these components. In addition, future research should explore reaction time tasks, cerebral hemisphere functions, taxonomy of mental operations, cognitive flexibility, and the performance of successful and unsuccessful learners within poles of the field dependence continuum. (PN)