COMMUNICATION
APPREHENSION
Definition
• Communication
Apprehension:
An individual’s level of fear or
anxiety with either real or
anticipated communication with
another person or group of
people.
Types of CA
• Traitlike – those who get nervous in almost all
communication interactions
• Ex. One-on-one, interviews, small groups, in
public – almost any situation except maybe family
and friends
• Generalized Context – people who get nervous in
one particular type of interaction
• Ex: (next slide)
….Types of CA
Examples of generalized contexts: 4 types of
Interactions…
• Public Speaking (talking to a large audience)
• Meetings (small groups, 10-15 people)
• Group discussions (class)
• Interpersonal (1-2 people)
…Types of CA
Person-Group – Talking to a specific group of people
Ex: teachers, boss or superiors at work, certain groups of
friends or peers, friends’ parents, etc.
Situational – Feeling nervous in specific situations –
when that situation passes, so has the anxiety
Ex: job interviews, oral exam, spelling bee, class speeches
Causes of CA
• Heredity – inherited the personality trait; maybe a
parent has the same fear
• Modeling – witnesses a speaker that was nervous
• Childhood reinforcement – made fun of or had a
bad experience as a child (with speaking)
• Skills deficit – speech impediment, no training of
necessary skills
Treatments for CA
• Small steps toward the goal – doing small speeches
and gradually working up to the major ones
• Positive visualization – like sports, you mentally
picture yourself doing a good job
• Skills training – taking speech class and learning the
skills needed to succeed at public speaking
• Deep breathing – simply taking three (or more) deep
breaths in a rhythmic pattern can help to relax you
• Muscle relaxation – tense up your muscles, hold for
5-10 seconds, then release
Activity
• You: On your own, write down 10 (or more) things you (or
someone else) might feel anxious about while thinking about or
giving a speech
• Together: With a partner, discuss your list and make additions
to it as necessary – label each item on the list “preparation” or
“right before” or “during”
• All: Make a collective list of fears and worries on the board –
discuss how to overcome them