LESSON 7. Communication Apprehension

COMMUNICATION

APPREHENSION
Common Communication
Situations
CONVERSATION
- a face-to-face interaction between or among
individuals.
- It is informal in nature, with no agenda or set
purpose, and is commonly done for therapeutic
reasons.
DIALOGUE
- it is in some ways similar to a conversation,
although the former is much more intimate and
purposive than the latter.
INTERVIEW
- it is a formal, purposive consultation.
- the interviewer’s objective is to obtain pieces of
information from the interviewee.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION
- it is a gathering of three or more people who aim
to explore a subject matter/issue or arrive at a
decision.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
- a speaker speaks in front of an audience.
- The speaker’s aim is to convey information,
persuade, or entertain, among others.
Stage Fright
- the fear of speaking before an audience because
speakers generally speak on stage during public
speaking situations.
The idea of being the center of
attention – up on stage, an open target
of undivided attention and thus, criticism
– increases the anxiety.

This leads to fear of public

speaking or glossophobia.
- The fear of speaking before an audience is
associated with shyness, which is defined by
communication experts James C. McCroskey and
Virginia P. Richmond as a “predisposition to withdraw
from or avoid communication with other people.”
- This behavioral tendency could be the result of
“subjective, affective experience” known as
communication
apprehension.
Communication
Apprehension
It is “an individual’s level of fear
or anxiety associated with either real
or anticipated communication with
another person or persons.”
- The concept of CA began when studies found out
that certain people can be anxious not only in public
speaking situations, but also in other communication
situations.
Communication apprehension is the correct term
for the anxiousness, even for fear, that a person feels
when he or she is in any communication situation.
Types of CA
TRAITLIKE
- those who get nervous in almost all
communication interactions.
Example: one-on-one, interviews, small groups, in
public – almost any situation except maybe family
and friends
GENERALIZED CONTEXT
- people who get nervous in one particular type of
interaction.
Examples: 4 types of Interactions
- Public Speaking (talking to a large audience)
- Meetings (small groups, 10-15 people)
- Group discussions (class)
- Interpersonal (1-2 people)
PERSON-GROUP
- Talking to a specific group of people.
Example: teachers, boss or superiors at work,
certain groups of friends or peers, friends’ parents,
etc.
SITUATIONAL
- Feeling nervous in specific situations – when that
situation passes, so has the anxiety.
Example: job interviews, oral exam, spelling bee,
class speeches
Causes of CA
Heredity
– inherited the personality trait;
maybe a parent has the same fear.
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
of necessary skills.
Treatments for CA
1. Small steps toward the goal
– doing small speeches and gradually working up
to the major ones.
2. Positive visualization
– mentally picture yourself doing a good job.
3. Skills training
– taking speech class and learning the skills
needed to succeed at public speaking.
4. Deep breathing
– simply taking three (or more) deep breaths in a
rhythmic pattern can help you relax.
5. Muscle relaxation
– tense up your muscles, hold for 5-10 seconds,
then release.
Ways to control CA
1. Communicate as often as you can, with as many
people as possible.
2. Prepare for the speech/interaction in order to gain
confidence in your knowledge and experience.
3. Do not think of the audience/fellow communicators
as your enemies.
4. Believe in your message/speak about your
passions.
5. When you hit a mental block, talk good-naturedly
about the mental block and what is probably causing
it or talk about something else.
6. Keep moving. Use the extra adrenaline to animate
your delivery/conversations/discussion.
7. Take comfort in the fact that CA is normal and that
it will not last until the end of your speech.

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COMMUNICATION

This leads to fear of public

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