Tridhipal
The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, concerning the way language and culture determine thought, exercised a significant influence on cognitive psychology, based as they were on empirical field-work conducted among native American tribes, such as the Hopi.
A based as they were on empirical field-work conducted among native American tribes, such as the Hopi.
B their basis being in empirical field-work among native American tribes, such as the Hopi
C because having a basis in empirical field-work among the native Americans such as the Hopi tribes
D based as it was on empirical field-work conducted among native American tribes, such as the Hopi.
E for it being on empirical field-work with native American tribes, of which Hopi among others
1. Based on - right idiom.
2. After "psychology, " we need to point some attribute. In another case the next part will be independent clause.
So option B, for example, is out because before their we need semicolon, since "their basis being in empirical field-work among native American tribes, such as the Hopi" seems like an independent clause (and moreover wrong one).
3. D is the only good option here.
But can someone explain this part: "as it was" - why it is here, for what?