Sex differences in anxiety,curiosity, and anger: A cross-cultural study

The major aim of the present study was to examine sex-group differences in anxiety, curiosity, and anger, as states and traits, among Israeli college students, and to compare the data with norms available for American students. The sample was composed of 223 female and 151 male students who were administered the Hebrew version of Spielberger's State-Trait Personality Inventory (STPI/HB). Significant differences in the STPI/HB profile for males and females were observed, with greater sex-group differentiation on the trait scales than on the state scales. Specifically, Israeli females show higher levels of Trait-Anxiety and Trait-Anger than Israeli males, whereas higher levels of State-Curiosity are observed among the latter. Overall, the sex difference profiles are highly comparable for Israeli and American college students. Observed sex-group differences are discussed and explicated.The authors wish to thank Prof. Shlomo Breznitz, of the University of Haifa, and Prof. Charles Spielberger, of the University of South Florida, for their interest in and support of this research. Thanks are also due to Smadar Ashuach and Orli Tamam-Karbi for their help in data collection. The order of authorship was determined alphabetically and both authors contributed equally to this paper.