Sex is a personal attribute that deeply influences the probability, intensity and direction of individual behavior. The general conclusion drawn in research on sex differences with respect to self-reported anxiety reactions is that females react more strongly than males (see e.g., Bernstein & Allen, 1969; Ekehammar, 1974a; Hawkes & Koff, 1970; Manley & Rosemier, 1972; Hill & Sarason, 1966; Spielberger, 1972; Spielberger, Gonzales, Taylor, Algaze, & Anton, 1978). This conclusion has been so self-evident that the significance of sex differences has often been studied employing one-tailed t-tests. On the other hand, the general conclusion drawn from research on sex differences in real life and laboratory situations with respect to physiological reactions is that males react more strongly than females (see e.g., Frankenhaeuser, 1980) at least in achievement-demanding situations. A closer inspection of the empirical bases for these conclusions reveals that these two research approaches to sex differences have used data from different types of situations. Therefore, one possible explanation of the seemingly contradictory results may be a sex by situation interaction in reactions to situational anxiety provocation. Maccoby and Jacklin (1974) pointed to this possibility when commenting upon the general finding that females report higher levels of anxiety and stated that the reverse results may be obtained if anxiety reactions were studied in other types of situations than hitherto.