The phobic stimuli response scales: a new self-report measure of fear

Data from two large undergraduate samples were used to develop the phobic stimuli response scales (PSRS). Factor analyses of data from the first sample (N=380) led to the creation of several scales, two of which (Social and Blood-Injection Fears) demonstrated good reliability and convergent validity. Analyses of data from a second sample (N=330) were used to modify the three remaining scales (Animal, Bodily Harm, and Physical Confinement Fears), which also showed sound psychometric properties. As predicted, the PSRS were differentially correlated with neuroticism and extraversion, which may represent predisposing factors for these phobic responses. These new scales improve our understanding of the individual differences that are associated with various fears.