Chapter 2: Speech Anxiety

speech anxiety

• the fear of public speaking and the nervousness that accompanies that fear

• many experiences speakers have anxiety before presentations

zoom performance anxiety

the added fear of presenting speeches in somewhat awkward and uncomfortable positions

intensity of speech anxiety

• wildly overstated

• some fear it more than death which seems to be very exaggerated

symptoms: fight or flight response

• a complex of mix of physiological symptoms

• accelerated heartbeat, quivering, tense voice and weak projection due to contracted throat musscles, vocal fillers, blanking from restricted blood flow to the brain, rigid posture, dry mouth, nausea, sweating

dysfunctional speech anxiety

occurs when the intensity of the fight or flight response prevents an individual from speaking effectively

functional speech anxiety

fight or flight response is managed and allows you to speak effectively

self defeating thoughts

• grounded in the excessive concern that your audience will judge and reject you

• exaggerating the magnitude of potential future is a common source of stress and anxiety

• flawless public speaking (perfectionism) is an unreasonable goal

catastrophizing

catastrophic thinking sees only failure and no opportunity for success (unrealistic, unlikely)

the illusion of transparency

• noveltyoverestimation of the extent to which audience members detect a speaker’s nervousness

• it is highly unlikely that you will please everyone

novelty

• something new; not previously known or seen

• can trigger speach anxiety

uncertainty reduction theory

as novelty wears off from experience, uncertainty is reduced and anxiety consequently diminishes

conspicuouness

being conspicuous or center of attention can increase your anxiety

anticipation phase

symptoms elevate prior to giving your speech

confrontation phase

occurs as you face the audience and begin to speak

adaptation phase

• occurs about 60 seconds in

• anxiety symptoms steadily diminish, reaching a more comfortable level

release stage

60 seconds immediately following the finish of a speech

communication orientation

• focuses on making your message clear and listening to your listeners

• practice your speech conversationally

systematic desensitization

• a technique used to control anxiety

• incremental exposure to threatening stimuli

other strategies to overcome speech anxiety

• prepare & practice

• prepare physiologically

• as the speech progresses, tell yourself its getting better

• don’t catastrophize and don’t view your speech as a performance for critics

• use positive self talk or rational appraisal

• visualize success

• use relaxtion techniques or exercises