Audrey Aiken is now in the Department of Psychology at University of British Columbia.
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Research Article
Appearing Anxious Leads to Negative Judgments by Others
Article first published online: 3 FEB 2012
DOI: 10.1002/jclp.20865
© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Additional Information
How to Cite
Gee, B. A., Antony, M. M., Koerner, N. and Aiken, A. (2012), Appearing Anxious Leads to Negative Judgments by Others. J. Clin. Psychol., 68: 304–318. doi: 10.1002/jclp.20865
Publication History
- Issue published online: 15 MAR 2012
- Article first published online: 3 FEB 2012
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- social anxiety;
- social phobia;
- anxiety symptoms;
- self-disclosure;
- negative evaluation
Objectives
To investigate people's perceptions of anxiety symptoms and the disclosure of anxiety by others, and how one's own level of social anxiety affects these perceptions.
Design
Undergraduate students and community members high (n = 83) and low (n = 80) in social anxiety, as measured by the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS; Mattick & Clark, 1998), were randomly assigned to watch 1 of 4 videos in which the target individual either appeared or did not appear anxious, and either disclosed or did not disclose her anxiety. Participants rated the target individual on various characteristics on which socially anxious individuals often fear being judged, and completed measures of their own level of social anxiety, perceived similarity to the target individual, and reasons for their ratings.
Results
Participants negatively evaluated others who looked anxious on qualities related to awkwardness, social skills, and weakness, and the disclosure of anxiety was associated with fewer negative judgments. Participants’ own levels of social anxiety were not related to their judgments.
Conclusions
This study provided evidence that the concerns held by socially anxious individuals that others will judge them negatively based on their signs of anxiety is accurate to a degree. These findings might inform the process of cognitive restructuring for social anxiety.