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
• Generalized Context – people who
get nervous in one particular type
of interaction
….Types of CA
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:
Situational – Feeling nervous in specific situations
Ex:
Causes of CA
• Heredity – inherited the personality trait
• 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
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
Research shows…
• A persons level of fear or anxiety has NOTHING
TO DO WITH:
•
•
•
•
•
Intelligence
Gender
Age
Race
Culture
IT’S COMMON!!
• Public speaking is the #1 Fear of Americans:
• 41% = giving a speech
• Only 19% = death
• 70-75% of people have some level of public speaking
anxiety
• 15-20% have a high level of anxiety