Two distinct anxiety factors, labeled trait anxiety and state anxiety, were identified. The trait anxiety factor was interpreted as measuring stable individual differences while the state anxiety factor defined a transitory state of the organism that varied over time. A trait-state conception of anxiety was then proposed that specified the relationship between state anxiety (A-state) and trait anxiety (A-Trait). The purpose of this study was to derive and evaluate various predictions with respect to trait anxiety. It was predicted that, in general, subjects high in A-trait would evidence more stereotyped, and hence less variable, self-images than low A-trait subjects. Two procedures for determining A-trait were utilized. The subjects were drawn from a Special Talent Development Program, a college opportunity program for minority youth. The results led to the conclusion that the state-trait distinction is a fruitful one for predicting both differences in performance and in the self-images for individuals who differ in A-trait. (Author/BW)