At the intersection of anxiety, gender, and performance

Author(s): Stewart, A. J.

Journal/Book: J Soc Clin Psychol. 1999; 18: 72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012, USA. Guilford Publications Inc. 76-97.

Abstract: Anxiety may affect performance by influencing either a performer's ability to perform effectively, or an observer's perception of the performer's efficacy, or by some combination of these effects. Performance evaluations may be additionally related to two expectancies about anxiety: (l)anxiety impairs performance, (2) women are more anxious than men. This study explored the effect of anxiety on performance by examining whether: (1) self-perceived anxiety is associated with expert performance evaluations; (2) evaluators' perceptions of performers' anxiety are associated with expert performance evaluations; (3) women and men differ in levels of self-perceived anxiety; (4) evaluators perceive men and women to be differentially anxious. A short-term longitudinal quasi-field study was conducted, examining performances with real-life consequences. Prior to auditioning for an orchestra, musicians filled out several questionnaires; the auditions were evaluated by two conductors. The results suggested that evaluators' perceptions of anxiety were more strongly associated with performance evaluations than were levels of self-perceived anxiety. People perceived as highly anxious received poorer evaluations. Additionally, although men's and women's self-rated levels of anxiety did not differ, evaluators perceived women to be more anxious.

Note: Article Kubzansky LD, Harvard Univ, Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Hlth & Social Behav, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston,MA 02115 USA

Keyword(s): INFORMATION-PROCESSING STRATEGIES; STAGE FRIGHT; TEACHER EXPECTATIONS; STEREOTYPES; TASK; AUDIENCE; AROUSAL

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