Chapter 1: Communication Apprehension

Communication Apprehension

An individual's level of fear or anxiety associated with real or anticipated communication with a person or persons

Causes of Communication Apprehension

Vulnerability
Fear of failure
Past experiences
Modeling behaviors we observe or are taught
Lack of experience
Technology/ social media
Your genes

How to reduce Communication Apprehension

- You feel more anxious than you appear
- Focus on getting message across, not what audience thinks
-Think of speech as conversation
-Prepare and PRACTICE
-Positive self-talk
- Start with attention getter
-Dress for success

Trait anxiety

Outwardly influenced part of your personality (ex. family opinions)

Context anxiety

Level depends on formality, uncertainty, novelty

Audience anxiety

Similarity. relationship, size

Situational Anxiety

"perfect storm", (ex. time: whether you are morning person or not

Sympathetic Listening

Instead of focusing on the message spoken through words, the listener focuses on the feelings and emotions of the speaker

Illusion of Transparency

Your perception vs. Audience Perception

Cognitive Restructuring

replacing negative thoughts with more positive thoughts

Visualization

vividly imagine giving the speech

Systematic Desensitization

helps lessen public speaking anxiety through repeated exposure to real or imagined public speaking scenarios

Power Posing

When you stand up with your arms and legs spread and hold that position for two minutes it can help you come across as more confident.

Four types of Communication Apprehension

Trait Anxiety
Context Anxiety
Audience Anxiety
Situation Anxiety