Just what is “state anxiety” anyway?
Spielberger et al., 1977, p. 242:
- “…the emotional reaction or response that is evoked when a person perceives a particular situation as personally dangerous or frightening for him [sic], irrespective of the presence or absence of a real objective danger.”
- “heightened autonomic system activity (e.g., increased heart rate, blood pressure, and galvanic skin response)” is a component of the state anxiety response, together with unpleasant feelings and apprehensive thoughts.