Reducing Communication Apprehension Among At‐Risk Children

Communication apprehension has been linked to lower economic status, academic achievement, and social skills. This study was designed to determine if a videotape designed to reduce public speaking apprehension (PSA) could be used to help at‐risk students cope with PSA. To test this notion, at‐risk students were asked to give a speech, fill out a set of instruments, were exposed or not exposed to the videotape, a placebo tape, or control condition then gave a second speech, and filled out the instruments a second time. The videotape condition was associated with lower levels of trait CA, state CA, and negative thinking than the placebo and control conditions.