Trait Anxiety and Trait Disgust in Spider Phobia

Authors

Laura Vernon, Florida Atlantic University
Michiyo Hirai, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow

Document Type

Book

Publication Date

1-2011

Abstract

There is evidence for the role of trait anxiety in the specific phobias, and spider phobia in particular. Recently, trait disgust has received attention in relation to specific phobia and researchers and theorists have begun to address its contributions to phobia etiology, maintenance, and treatment processes. There is now strong evidence that a trait or dispositional proneness to experience disgust is related to spider phobia. What is perhaps more important is emerging evidence that both trait anxiety and trait disgust may contribute to spider phobia severity independently of one another. However, the overall picture is far from clear and distinguishing the role of anxiety from that of disgust in spider phobia is often quite difficult, perhaps in part due to the potential for synergistic effects between the two emotions. This chapter will review findings regarding the relationships among trait anxiety, trait disgust, and spider phobia, including cognitive and behavioral findings. The implications for theories of spider phobia etiology, maintenance, and treatment will be discussed.

Comments

Copyright 2012 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Recommended Citation

Vernon, L., & Hirai, M. (2012). Trait Anxiety and Trait Disgust in Spider Phobia. In A. M. Columbus (Ed.), Advances in Psychology Research (Vol. 87, pp. 163–182). Nova Science Publishers.

Publication Title

Advances in Psychology Research