Perceived Predictability and Anxiety: An Observational Analysis of Behavioral Anxiety Indicators and Planning Behaviors

This study examines the relationship between observed reactions to anxiety and perceived predictability. During an organized scheduling exercise, behavioral measurements of planning and organization, including planning time, clarification queries, hesitation instances, and structure scores, will be used to operationalize the causal construct, perceived predictability. During a brief verbal explanation task, observable behaviors such as fidgeting, eye contact avoidance, speech hesitations, and visible tension ratings will be utilized to quantify the outcome variable, anxiety. In a monitored classroom or study space, participants will finish a mock weekly scheduling job before providing a brief explanation of their planning procedure. Standardized rating scales and frequency counts will be used to code behavioral indications. The study's objective is to determine whether increased observed anxiety is linked to worse perceived predictability during planning.