Previous research has validated finger pulse volume (FPV) as a measure of anxiety in response to threat of physical harm. The present study evaluated FPV as a measure of anxiety in response to a social‐evaluative threat. Physiological and self‐report measures of anxiety were recorded while subjects anticipated and responded to an interview in either high or low stress conditions. Results indicated that FPV was sensitive to the stress manipulation during both periods and was correlated with self‐reported anxiety during the anticipation period. The findings were discussed in terms of FPV as a physiological index in the assessment of anxiety.