By Ronald P. Grapsy, Ph.D.
Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
- Understand the nature of communicative apprehension (CA), and be in a better position to deal with your particular “brand” of CA.
- Analyze objectively the formation of your habitual frame of reference.
- Apply cognitive restructuring (CR) techniques to create a more positive frame of reference.
- Understand the importance of customized practice to become conversant in your topic.
- Create a personal preparation routine to minimize your apprehension.
Chapter Outline
- Introduction
- Classifying Communication Apprehension (CA)
- Trait-anxiety
- State-anxiety
- Scrutiny Fear
- Frames of Reference
- Habitual Frame of Reference
- Personal Frame of Reference
- Cognitive Restructuring (CR)
- Sources of Apprehension
- Impact of Apprehension
- Learning Confidence
- Techniques for Building Confidence
- Prepare Well
- Visualize Success
- Avoid Gimmicks
- Breathe and Release
- Minimize What You Memorize
- Practice Out Loud
- Customize Your Practice
- Conclusion
- Chapter Activities and Exercises
- Glossary
- References
Introduction
“I have to do what?”
You receive your syllabus on the first day of history class, and you see that a significant percentage of your overall grade for the semester depends upon one, ten-minute oral presentation in front of the class. The presentation is to be based on an original research project and is due in eight weeks.
You are excited to get an email after a very positive job interview. They ask you to come to a second interview prepared to answer a number of questions from a panel made up of senior management. The questions are contained in an attachment. “Please be ready to stand in the front of the room to answer,” the email reads; ending with “See you next week!”
The plans are finalized: You will have dinner to meet your new fiancé’s family on Saturday night—just days away. But, then you are told that your fiancé’s father, a former Marine and retired police officer, will want to talk about politics and current events—and that he will likely judge what sort of person you are based on how well you can defend your ideas.
I get nervous when I don’t get nervous. If I’m nervous, I know I’m going to have a good show. – Beyonce Knowles
In this chapter, you will learn about dealing with one of the most common fears in our society: the fear of public speaking, which is referred to as communication apprehension (CA). If you are one of those folks—take comfort in the fact that you are not alone! Research indicates that 20% or more of the U.S. population has a high degree of communicative apprehension[1]. CA is an isolating phenomenon; something that makes one feel alone in the struggle. This is true even as programs designed to help people overcome it—like this program and this chapter, for instance—are spreading nationwide. CA is a real phenomenon that represents a well-documented obstacle not only to