SELF-STATEMENTS AND SELF-EVALUATIONS - COGNITIVE-RESPONSE ANALYSIS OF HETEROSOCIAL ANXIETY

In the present investigation, an inductive measurement technique was employed to test some of the shared assertions made by theories of emotional behavior and behavior change. Specifically, the effects of heterosocial anxiety and anonymity on self-statements and self-evaluation by men were investigated. It was found that the anticipation of a discussion with an unfamiliar woman resulted in (a) the spontaneous generation of more negative self-statements and self-evaluation by high than by low heterosocially anxious men, (b) high and low heterosocially anxious men emitting their self-statements, which were clearly distinguishable; and (c) the anonymity of the impending discussion affecting neither the self-statements nor the self-evaluation of high and low heterosocially anxious men. These results provide evidence that an individual's idiosyncratic cognitive responses can be assessed objectively and easily, and that the nature of the self-statements is affected by individual differences even though the individuals involved may be unaware of these effects. © 1979 Plenum Publishing Corporation.