Anxiety and Cognition: A Unified Theory / Edition 1

by Michael Eysenck

Overview

It is argued in this book that there are three major approaches to anxiety. First, there is anxiety as an emotional state. Second, there is trait anxiety as a dimension of personality. Third, there is anxiety as a set of anxiety disorders. What is attempted is to produce a unified theory of anxiety which integrates all these major approaches. According to this unified theory, there are four sources of information which influence the level of experienced anxiety: (1) experimental stimulation; (2) internal physiological activity; (3) internal cognitions, (e.g., worries); and (4) one's own behaviour. The unified theory is essentially based on a cognitive approach. More specifically, it is assumed that individual differences in experienced anxiety between those high and low in trait anxiety depend largely on cognitive biases. It is also assumed that the various anxiety disorders depend on cognitive biases, and that the main anxiety disorders differ in terms of the source of information most affected by such biases (e.g., social phobics have biased interpretation of their own behaviour). In sum, this book presents a general theory of anxiety from the cognitive perspective. It is intended that this theory will influence theory and research on emotion, personality, and the anxiety disorders.

Correction notice: Christos Halkiopoulos should have been credited for his role as the inventor of the Dot Probe Paradigm and for the design and execution of the experiment discussed in C. D. Spielberger, I. G. Sarason, Z. Kulczar, and J. Van Heck (Eds.), Stress and Emotion, Vol. 14. London: Hemisphere.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138883017
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/25/2015
Series:	Essays in Cognitive Psychology
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Royal Holloway University of London.

Table of Contents

Theories of Trait Anxiety. A Four-factor Theory of Anxiety. A New Theory of Trait Anxiety. Theoretical Approaches to Clinical Anxiety. Clinical Experimental Evidence. Cognitive-behaviour Therapy.

Editorial Reviews

This interesting monograph, written by one of the world's leading authorities on cognition and emotion, provides a persuasive synthesis of cutting edge research on the cognitive aspects of anxiety. In particular, Professor Eysenck's emphasis on the "repressor" processing style is likely to have a major impact on work in this area. Researchers in personality psychology and experimental psychopathology will surely benefit by reading this book. - Richard J. McNally (Harvard University)

I enjoyed reading this book - it was very interesting and written in a very clear and accessible style. It provides a careful review of a wide range of literature dealing with anxiety primarily from a cognitive perspective. The four factor theory provides a most useful framework for considering the complex and divergent literature on information processing biases in nonclinical and clinical anxiety, and on cognitive therapy for anxiety disorders. - Karin Mogg (University of Cambridge)

This book represents an admirable attempt to integrate experimental research on the cognitive aspects of anxiety with the clinical application of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to the treatment of anxiety disorders...An especially useful feature is the highlighting of some unique clinical problems that need to be addressed by cognitive models of anxiety...a very nice summary of experimental approaches to the clinical aspects of the main anxiety disorders. - Elaine Fox (University of Essex)

From the Publisher

4 Stars! from Doody

This book provides a unified theory that attempts to explain the experience of anxiety emanating from multiple sources, including external stimulation, physiological activity, cognition, and behavior. The theory is grounded in the cognitive approach, with differences in individual perception of anxiety based on cognitive biases and those biases characterizing the different anxiety disorders. This book presents three approaches to understanding anxiety: anxiety as an emotional state, anxiety as a personality trait, and anxiety as disorder. The intended audience appears to be any clinician or researcher interested in anxiety or emotion. It will be of great benefit to mental health practitioners, academicians, and advanced undergraduate and graduate students in psychology. The book is a well elaborated extension of the author's previous work and provides a cutting-edge advancement in understanding anxiety. It is organized into six chapters covering theories of trait anxiety; a four-factor theory of anxiety; a new theory of trait anxiety; theoretical approaches to clinical anxiety; clinical experimental evidence; and cognitive behavior therapy. It also provides a comprehensive reference list and thorough indexing. This book is an important advancement in extending the concept of anxiety. It is well organized, very readable, and well researched. Of special importance is the author's emphasis on the ""repressor"" processing style, a phenomenon likely to have a significant impact on both conceptual and practical approaches to understanding and treating anxiety. Any researcher or clinician working in the area will appreciate this fine resource.

Christopher D. Hornig

Reviewer: Christopher D. Hornig, MA (Harvard University)
Description: This book provides a unified theory that attempts to explain the experience of anxiety emanating from multiple sources, including external stimulation, physiological activity, cognition, and behavior. The theory is grounded in the cognitive approach, with differences in individual perception of anxiety based on cognitive biases and those biases characterizing the different anxiety disorders.
Purpose: This book presents three approaches to understanding anxiety: anxiety as an emotional state, anxiety as a personality trait, and anxiety as disorder.
Audience: The intended audience appears to be any clinician or researcher interested in anxiety or emotion. It will be of great benefit to mental health practitioners, academicians, and advanced undergraduate and graduate students in psychology. The book is a well elaborated extension of the author's previous work and provides a cutting-edge advancement in understanding anxiety.
Features: It is organized into six chapters covering theories of trait anxiety; a four-factor theory of anxiety; a new theory of trait anxiety; theoretical approaches to clinical anxiety; clinical experimental evidence; and cognitive behavior therapy. It also provides a comprehensive reference list and thorough indexing.
Assessment: This book is an important advancement in extending the concept of anxiety. It is well organized, very readable, and well researched. Of special importance is the author's emphasis on the "repressor" processing style, a phenomenon likely to have a significant impact on both conceptual and practical approaches to understanding and treating anxiety. Any researcher or clinician working in the area will appreciate this fine resource.

Doody's Review Service