ABSTRACT
IT is generally agreed that anxiety plays a central role in the majority of neurotic conditions. Although anxiety may be analysed into three major components—autonomic, ideational, and motor responses (Metzner, 1961)—it is the autonomic aspects which are of primary interest when considering those disorders which are classified as anxiety states. Anxiety can be produced by noxious stimulation or by conflict and numerous factors determine both the degree and the persistence of the anxiety reactions which are evoked. The variables which are known to influence anxiety reactions are: (1) personality factors (e.g. neuroticism); (2) degree of confinement; (3) intensity of the unconditioned stimulus; (4) age; (5) past experiences; (6) type of conflict; (7) strength of the competing responses.
