The aim of the study was to examine whether there are specific cognitive personality traits that are related to specific cluster C personality disorders as suggested by Beck's cognitive model. The study included 135 psychiatric outpatients and 41 healthy controls. The subjects were diagnosed according to DSM-III-R axis I and axis II. The cognitive dimensions of sociotropy, autonomy and dysfunctional attitudes were assessed. The results indicated some cognitive specificity, especially when the effects of a lifetime depressive disorder were statistically controlled for. Dependent personality disorder was significantly associated with higher scores on all sociotropic subscales and dysfunctional attitudes. Avoidant personality disorder was significantly associated with the sociotropic subscales “concern about disapproval” and “pleasing others” as well as dysfunctional attitudes, while obsessive-compulsive personality disorder was associated with only higher scores on the sociotropic subscale “concern about disapproval”.