State-Trait Anxiety Inventory

What it measures

A foundational anxiety measure distinguishing transient state anxiety from stable trait anxiety. The State form is widely used as a manipulation check in stress induction paradigms. Among the most cited instruments in experimental and clinical psychology.

Representative items

• I feel calm. (R, State)
• I am tense. (State)
• I feel frightened. (State)
• I worry too much over things that don't matter. (Trait)
• I am a steady person. (R, Trait)

Citation

Spielberger, C.D., Gorsuch, R.L., Lushene, R., Vagg, P.R., & Jacobs, G.A. (1983). Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Consulting Psychologists Press.