The appropriateness of using the S-R Inventory of Anxiousness to measure sources of behavioral variability

Abstract

The S-R Inventory of Anxiousness is critically examined for its appropriateness as a research strategy to demonstrate sources of behavioral variance. The purpose, development, use of the inventory, and ensuing analysis are reviewed. Three major problems are discussed in light of the research questions. These problems include (1) the apparent lack of distinction between person and mode of response (2) influence of the nonrandom selection of situation and mode of response on the results of the analysis, and (3) problems in specifying and assessing the nature of person-situation interactions. Although initial efforts to statistically demonstrate variance contribution of interactions deserve recognition, it is maintained that the variance components approach and previous application of the S-R Inventory of Anxiousness do not lead to clarifying the specific nature of person-situation interactions in influencing anxiousness. Rather, it is suggested that future research on person-situation interactions would benefit by identifying specific person and situation characteristics and incorporating aspects of both these factors into a systematic research design.