Cognitive characteristics of rigidity, impulsivity, & field dependence as measured by the Alternate Uses Test, the Matching Familiar Figure Test & the Embedded Figures Test were contrasted in 49 male suicide attempters and 48 controls. The attempters were more rigid while controlling for age & diagnosis. Field dependence was only characteristic for the younger (age 19-34) attempters. Impulsivity did not differentiate the groups. (RA)