ANXIETY SENSITIVITY, STATE ANXIETY AND PERCEPTIONS OF FACIAL EMOTIONS

We investigated relationships between anxiety sensitivity and percepti ons of facial emotions following relaxation and hyperventilation. The Anxiety Sensitivity Index was administered to 606 female college under graduates and samples of high (n = 30) and low (n = 25) scorers were o btained from the top and bottom 15% of the distribution. Following exp osure to randomly counterbalanced 5-minute relaxation and hyperventila tion instructions, participants rated the intensity of seven basic emo tions in photographs of faces using a standardized test of affect-rece iving ability. High ASI scorers perceived significantly more intense f ear and anger than did low ASI respondents and reported relatively lar ger increases in ratings of sadness and fear following hyperventilatio n. ASI was significantly correlated with heightened state anxiety and vigilance prior to beginning the experiment, and these affects mediate d interpersonal perceptions. Results suggest that high ASI scorers may manifest a chronic state of vigilance that triggers heightened anxiet y in ambiguous situations. The combination of high anxiety sensitivity and state anxiety appears to foster greater sensitivity to interperso nal stimuli.