Reinforcement Sensitivity as Predictor of Test Anxiety

Rene  M. Nob,

Reinforcement Sensitivity as Predictor of Test Anxiety

Discipline: Psychology

Abstract:

In an attempt to advance the revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST), this study investigates the implications of RST to test anxiety. 217 college-level students participated in the study. The Behavior Inhibition System (BIS) and the Fight, Flight, Freeze System (FFFS) of the RST correlate with test anxiety, but not the Behavior Activation System (BAS). Using multiple regression, findings reveal that FFFS, specifically freeze, best predicts test anxiety, worry, and emotionality. Moreover, fight also predicts worry, while flight predicts emotionality. These results generally support the current conceptualization of the revised RST.