Reports on research into the communication of speech state anxiety between adjacent speakers in the speaking order in a public speaking setting. Finds, based on classical response contagion theory, that public speaking state anxiety in an educational setting is contagious. Discusses possible consequences, and advances suggestions for future…

Develops a typology of strategies people use to cope with public speaking anxiety. Assesses the influences of anxiety level on strategy use. Finds 65 basic tactics in 6 strategy types (Relaxation, Preparation, Positive Thinking, Audience Depreciation, Concentration, and Resignation). Finds high anxious persons more likely to report Relaxation and…

Offers suggestions for overcoming the fear of speaking in public and rules on how to give effective presentations. (SRT)

Investigates whether variations in five audience characteristics (size, status, familiarity, similarity, and behavior) are related to audience anxiety. Supports the contention that the effect of situational factors are greatly tempered by an individual's predisposition to respond anxiously. Discusses instructional implications of these findings.…

In light of inconsistent research findings, a study examined the relationship of traitlike public speaking apprehension to the competence of public speakers, as well as the mediating role of gender in that relationship. Subjects, 105 students from a variety of majors and enrolled in 7 sections of a public speaking fundamentals course at a southern…

A systematic desensitization therapy program to reduce anxiety in speakers has been developed and implemented at Michigan State University for those students in basic speech courses who have been identified by "The Personal Report of Communication Apprehension" (PRCA) as having severe speech anxiety and thus being in need of Systematic…

Examines the narrative accounts of the aesthetic performance experience as related by high communication apprehensives (HCA's) and low communication apprehensives (LCA's). Indicates that while both HCA's and LCA's commonly label themselves as apprehensive about performance, their characterizations of the performance experience differ significantly…

This paper reviews the literature on speech fright in the workplace and examines its symptoms, effects, and causes. The paper also identifies various methods of treatment that have proven effective when adapted to individual and situational factors responsible for anxiety. The paper lists seven specific treatments directed toward improving public…

A study examined the impact of self-confrontation (self-viewing of videotaped speeches) on student public speaking apprehension. Subjects, 112 undergraduate students enrolled in introductory public speaking classes who were confronted with their videotaped speeches (as post-performance feedback), did not experience a reduction in their public…

To provide special instruction for students who report fear and avoidance of communication, a reticence program was instituted at Pennsylvania State University. Since the school has a general speech requirement that nearly all students have to meet in order to graduate, students are given an opportunity to enroll in this special section if they…

A study examined the effects of controlling situational factors (i.e., instructional interventions) on reducing state anxiety level of low and high public speaking apprehensives. Subjects were 306 undergraduates enrolled in the basic public speaking course at a midwestern university during the 1988-1989 academic year. Situational factors tested…

This study examined communication apprehension (CA) as a potential barrier to student academic success. Prior research implicated CA as a primary predictor of both interpersonal and academic success. Based on the past research of J. McCroskey and others, it was hypothesized that high CA students would maintain lower grade point averages (GPA) and…

A study investigated listening and oral communication apprehension in high school and college students from the United States and Australia. The subjects were 355 students from the United States (133 high school females, 109 high school males, 65 college females, and 46 college males), and 339 students from Australia (73 high school females, 91…

A study examined the relative effectiveness and synergistic effect of two treatments for reducing speech anxiety--Self-Statement Modification (SSM), a therapy focused on modification of cognitive behavior; and Modified Desensitization (MD), a therapy focused on physiological variables, utilizing relaxation training, group hierarchy construction,…

To determine the criterion related validity of the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA), 156 college students enrolled in a beginning public speaking course were administered the PRCA and asked to evaluate peers' speeches using a standard evaluation form. Offering support for the PRCA's validity, results showed a correlation…