Perceptions of and reactions to stressful situations: the utility of a general anxiety trait

In a number of studies Magnusson & Ekehammer (1975 a) have hypothesized three or four situationally specific anxiety factors. This paper replicates their work but reveals the presence of a general anxiety trait (independent of situational influences) which accounts for five times as much variance as situational factors. The influence of the situation on anxiety is considerably less than Magnusson & Ekehammer have supposed, and is minimal compared with the utility of a general anxiety trait.