I think that "anxiety" meets Underwood's criteria for a fourth level
construct. There are multiple stimuli and multiple responses. The multiple
stimuli and multiple responses challenges the task of its operational
definition. It also meets the definition of an "intervening variable"
because it it is an inferred process that mediates between stimuli and
responses. Stress would be another example, along with fear and anxiety.
At 03:00 PM 4/24/99 -0400, Michael Sylvester wrote:
>
>is there a good definition of anxiety?
>I do not have problems in understanding the symptoms or the causes,
>but coming to a comprehensive definition is a bit difficult.
>Some have talked about a "vague apprehension" and distinguish it from fear
>by stating that fear is more specific,whereas anxiety is not.
>Is that correct?
>
>Michael Sylvester
>Daytona Beach,Florida
>
>
Dr. Joyce Johnson
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Developmental/ Experimental
Centenary College of Louisiana
Shreveport, LA
