The Arousability Predisposition Scale: validity and determinants of between-subject variability

Norms for the Arousability Predisposition Scale (APS; S. Coren, 1990) obtained from an Australian university sample are presented. The construct tapped by the APS is reviewed, with state and trait anxiety, sex, and age examined as possible determinants of individual arousability predisposition. Sex differences were found on trait anxiety and APS measures--women scored higher than men on those respective measures. Regression analysis revealed that trait anxiety accounted for a large proportion of variance on the APS, whereas sex accounted for a small, but statistically significant, proportion of variance. It is suggested that the APS taps a component of trait anxiety. Further research is called for to validate the APS as a measure of physiological arousability and as a useful psychophysical tool.