1. COMMUNICATION APPREHENSION

2. Definition Communication Apprehension:
An individual’s level of fear or anxiety with either real or anticipated communication with another person or group of people.

3. 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

4. ….Types of CA Types of Interactions
Public Speaking (talking to a large audience)
Meetings (small groups, people)
Group discussions (class)
Interpersonal (1-2 people)

5. …Types of CA Person-Group – Talking to a specific group of people
Ex:
Situational – Feeling nervous in specific situations

6. 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

7. 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

8. Research shows…
A persons level of fear or anxiety has NOTHING TO DO WITH:
Intelligence
Gender
Age
Race
Culture

9. 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