THE ANXIETY SENSITIVITY CONSTRUCT - COGNITIVE REACTIONS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGE

Anxiety sensitivity is proposed as an individual difference variable d istinguishable from anxiety. Theoretically, individuals with high leve ls of anxiety sensitivity believe the experiences of anxiety are harmf ul and monitor their physiological responses by focusing attention to their internal stimuli. The current study assessed four groups of subj ects: those with high and low levels of anxiety sensitivity; and those with or without recent experiences of panic attacks. Subjects complet ed a physiological protocol and reported their cognitions and subjecti ve distress. Results support physiological change; however, reactions to the change did not differ significantly by ASI groupins, but were i mpacted by prior experiences with panic. Results are discussed in term s of support for a conditioning paradigm, with no apparent contributio n from the postulated trait of anxiety sensitivity.