چکیده:
This study explored the effect of cognitive styles of field dependence (FD)
and field-independence (FI) on Iranian EFL learners’ performance in the
speech act of apology. Additionally, the investigation also focused on the
effect of these cognitive styles on individual differences (IDs) like
proficiency, age, and gender of the participants. To this end, 80 EFL learners,
studying at two English language institutes in Maybod, were selected
through convenient sampling. This study was conducted in three phases by
using a variety of instruments, like Oxford Quick Placement Test (OPT),
Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT), and Multiple Choice Discourse
Completion Tasks (MCDCTs). With respect to the GEFT, students were
divided into two groups, FD/FI. The MCDCTs were administered to measure
students’ pragmatic comprehension and restructuring ability of the apology
situations. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS 21 statistical
software. The results revealed that FI participants outperformed the FD ones
in apology contexts. Individual differences like gender and age had a
significant effect on the performance of the participants in both cognitive
groups. Although the proficiency level demonstrated some variations, but it
did not have any statistically significant impact on the performance of the
participants in these two groups. The major pedagogical implication of the
present study is that when assessing the interlanguage pragmatics (ILP) of
EFL learners, teachers and other teaching administrations should take not
only cognitive styles but also individual differences into consideration so that
they could adopt and apply teaching methods in line with the learners’
various cognitive styles.