Clinical observations have characterized low anxious (LA) Ss as possessing a repressive-denial defense pattern. The psychoanalytic notion that repression diminishes with relaxation and reduced motility on the couch was examined in the predictions that supine LA Ss would free-associate more effectively than supine HA Ss, but that the reverse would hold true in the sitting position. The 10 highest and lowest trait-anxiety rankings in each of the postural conditions were given Bordin's free-association procedure Results indicated a significant effect for posture and an interaction with anxiety level in the predicted direction. The differential effect of motility on repression in LA Ss vis-a-vis other defense styles in HA Ss was discussed.
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