SELF-REPORTED FEARS AND ELECTRODERMAL RESPONSIVENESS OF HIGH AND LOW TRAIT ANXIOUS SUBJECTS TO FEAR OF FAILURE AND OTHER STRESSORS

In: Social behavior and personality: an international journal, Band 3, Heft 2, S. 205-211

Abstract

This investigation examined the relationship between self-reported fears on the Wolpe-Lang Fear Survey Schedule and scores on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) among hospitalized male veterans and evaluated the effects of threat of failure and loss of self-esteem on the electrodermal
activity of 32 male college students classified as high or low trait anxious. Results showed a significant relationship between trait anxiety and fearfulness with HA-Trait individuals demonstrating greater overall fearfulness than those classified as LA-Trait with the most significant differences
indicated for fears of failure. There were no differences in electrodermal activity between HA. and LA-Trait Subjects in response to manipulation of instructions designed to increase the level of A-State. Though high stress instructions involving ego and failure threat produced an increased
frequency of nonspecific EDRs in both groups, there was no evidence that HA-Trait Subjects responded with any greater increase in electrodermal activity.