The multidimensional model: Teaching students to self‐manage high communication apprehension by self‐selecting treatments

Abstract

This study tested the Multidimensional Model for teaching students to self‐manage communication apprehension (CA) by self‐selecting treatment technique(s). Communication literature indicates that although numerous techniques are available to help students manage high CA, the difficulty lies with determining which technique(s) will target a student's specific needs. Multimodal evaluation of seven personality dimensions (Lazarus, 1989, 1997) and then matching dimensions to techniques puts the selection of techniques in the hands of those experiencing high CA. The pretest‐posttest control group design (N = 331) showed that there was a significantly greater reduction in CA level when teaching the Multidimensional Model in a public speaking course than when only using traditional skills training.

Keywords:

• communication apprehension
• speech anxiety
• basic speech course
• multimodal therapy
• multidimensional model