ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to overcome some of limitations in achievement-related anxiety research, and describes experimental paradigm and methodology that was used in a study examining individual coping styles in achievement-related stress situations. Information intake, however, was found to correlate with correct solutions for both anxious-sensitive and anxious-defensive subjects. The chapter highlights the usefulness of an empirical exploration of different stages in an achievement-related stress situation. It discusses impact on task performance of anxious-defensive, anxious-sensitive, and nonanxious coping styles in the context of a detailed analysis of the microstructure of actions. The chapter presents the results of an investigation of the relation between anxiety-related coping activities and the macrostructure of actions. State anxiety was assessed at three stages of the performance situation: the anticipation stage, the confrontation stage, and finally, the evaluation stage.
