THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANXIETY AND COGNITIVE STYLE MEASURED ON THE STROOP TEST

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between anxiety and cognitive style, as measured on the Stroop Color-Word Test. A sample of 253 respondents, selected on the basis of their anxiety scores, were administered the Stroop Test and Kuwait University Anxiety Scale (KUAS). The subjects were divided into two groups, the most and the least anxious, depending upon their anxiety scores on the KUAS. The results showed no significant difference between the most and least anxious groups in cognitive style, indicating increased interference in both groups. These findings suggest the susceptibility of both groups to constricted cognitive style, and their propensity to interference effects on the Stroop test.