A cognitive approach to trait anxiety

A cognitive approach to trait anxiety can account for many phenomena (e.g. failures of concordance). According to the four-factor theory, the experience of anxiety depends on the processing of four sources of information: external stimuli; internal physiological stimuli; one's own behaviour; and one's own cognitions (e.g. worries about the future). High-anxious individuals (high in trait anxiety; low in defensiveness) have cognitive biases leading them to exaggerate the threateningness of these four sources of information. Individuals with a repressive coping style (low in trait anxiety; high in defensiveness) have cognitive biases leading them to minimize the threateningness of these four sources of information. Theoretical implications for major anxiety disorders are discussed.