Test-Taking Anxiety and Psychological Needs

Abstract

Facilitating (F) and debilitating (D) test-taking anxieties as measured by the Alpert-Haber Achievement Anxiety Test were correlated with psychological needs as measured by the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (PPS). Ss were 201 members (98 males, 103 females) of a sophomore social science class. For F anxiety, significant correlations for males were obtained with Needs-Achievement, Affiliation, Intraception, Succorance, Exhibition and Nurturance. For D anxiety, the significant correlations for males were Needs-Abasement, Exhibition, Achievement, Deference and Dominance. For females, F anxiety was only correlated with Needs-Achievement, while D anxiety was related to Needs-Intraception, Order and Exhibition. It appears that certain personality needs seem related to these types of anxieties, particularly for males.