The correlates of manifest anxiety in perceptual reactivity, rigidity, and self concept.

Abstract

In two preceding papers, data have been presented indicating a lack of relationship between scores on the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale (29) and performance on two complex learning tasks: (a) stylus maze learning ( 2) and (b) paired associate learning (14). These findings are somewhat in contrast to earlier studies in which high anxious subjects (Ss) have been found to perform more poorly than low anxious Ss on complex learning tasks involving multiple competing response tendencies (13,17,23,25,30).The present report deals with the relationship between A -scale response and performance on three personality-cognitive measures; perceptual reactivity to "threat expectancy," problem-solving rigidity, and self-regarding attitudes. It evolves from the same basic design as do its two predecessors (2, 14) and accordingly, involves two methodological extensions to earlier studies in the area. Thus, in order to examine the over-the-range discriminatory power of the A scale, we have included a middle anxiety group, consisting of MAS scorers between the 43rd and 56th percentiles. And, secondly, we have utilized the MMPI Lie scale as an additional criterion in order to determine whether differences in performance on the dependent measures are related to variations in £-scale score.For the variable of perceptual reactivity, previous investigations (9, 20) report elevated

Negative affectivity: The disposition to experience aversive emotional states.

“…A few investigators have searched for specific areas of disagreement in ideal-self ratings. Two studies (Altrocchi et al, 1960;Cowen, Heilizer, Axelrod, & Alexander, 1957) found no differences in the ideal selves desired by high-and low-NA subjects. Block and Thomas 3 Our results are essentially similar to those obtained for anxiety by Schuerger, Tail, and Tavernelli (1982), despite the fact that they included several scales (e.g., Edwards Personal Preference Schedule [EPPS] Succorance) that are not good NA markers.…”

“…A good deal of research has been generated by Byrne's (1961Byrne's ( , 1964 hypothesis that high-NA individuals characteristically approach threatening stimuli, whereas low-NA subjects try to avoid threat (e.g., are perceptually defensive). A number of investigators have tested this notion by examining NA's relation with the approach/avoidance of sexually provocative material (Burns & Tyler, 1976;Haney, 1971Haney, ,1974aHaney, , 1974bParis & Goodstein, 1966;Pawlowski, 1979;Schill, 1969;Schill, Emanuel, Pedersen, Schneider, & Worchowiak, 1970;Weinberger, Schwartz, & Davidson, 1979), taboo words (Bitterman & Kniffin, 1953;Cowen et al, 1957;Hoffman, 1970), and gruesome, painful, or death-related stimuli (Carroll, 1972;Haley, 1974;Hare, 1966;Lewinsohn, Bergquist, & Brelje, 1972;Matheson, 1976;Piorkowski, 1967). These studies have used a wide variety of designs and measures and, although a few inconsistencies do appear, the results have been overwhelmingly negative.…”

A Sentence Completion Test Assessing Safety and Esteem Motives

“…Because the At, Do, and Dy MMPI subscales have been used in a wide variety of research, these results provide useful additional information about the nature of individuals found to be strongly safety-or esteemoriented. For example, the mean manifest anxiety and dependency scores for safetyoriented Ss are very similar to those for known hospitalized neurotics and highly anxious normals who tend to be low in self-esteem, hysterically inclined, passive, authoritarian, and mistrusting (e.g., Brackbill & Little, 1955;Cowen, Heilizer, Axelrod, & Alexander, 1957;Hunt & Jones, 1963;Mangan, Quarterman, & Vaughan, 1960;Smith, 1964;Taylor, 1953). In addition, Kassebaum, Couch, & Slater (1959), in a factorial study of the MMPI, found that high anxiety and dependency and low dominance scores are part of a dimension of ego weakness, indicating maladjustment, general neuroticism, and a disposition toward behavioral disorders.…”

Chapter VI: The Learner: Self and Perception

“…Cowen and others (19) found no relationship between scores on the Taylor MAS or Bills Index and behavioral outcomes, and Cowen (17) further examined the Brownļain inventory and the Bills scale. Child, Frank, and Storm (14) discovered no relationship between TAT scores and either self-ratings or childhood experiences, while Berger (8) saw a relationship between certain MMP scales and expressed acceptance of self and others.…”