Public speaking anxiety as a function of sensitization and habituation processes

Abstract

In the present study, it was hypothesized that (1) changes in (1) state anxiety from rest to the beginning of a speech (sensitization), in (2) changes in state anxiety during the first minute of the speech presentation (habituation 1), and in (3) state anxiety during the last minute of the speech presentation (habituation 2) are all significant predictors of college students' state anxiety during public speaking. Results indicated that both sensitization and habituation 1 were significant predictors, together accounting for 68% of the variance in overall state anxiety scores during speech performance. Changes in anxiety during the last minute of the speech (habituation 2) did not contribute significantly to the prediction of overall state anxiety. Educators need to adopt a variety of classroom techniques to help students reduce initial sensitization and to foster early habituation in public speaking practice.

Keywords:

• public speaking anxiety
• sensitization processes
• habituation processes
• anxiety patterns

Notes

Ralph R. Behnke (PhD, University of Kansas, 1966) is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Texas Christian University, TCU Box 298045, Fort Worth, TX 76129, USA. Chris R. Sawyer (PhD, University of North Texas, 1992) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Texas Christian University, TCU Box 298045, Fort Worth, TX 76129, USA. Ralph R. Behnke can be contacted at [email protected]

Unadjusted change scores are subject to the confounding effects of “regression to the mean” (Campbell & Kenny, 1999). However, one may overcome this limitation of change scores in a variety of ways, including statistical control for regression effects (Sawrie, Marson, Boothe, & Harrell, 1999), adjustments for initial value and base‐free measures of change (Foerster, 1995). In this study, base‐free measures of change (Tucker et al., 1966) were selected to operationalize sensitization and habituation processes, as these are recommended for correlational research, including multiple regression.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ralph R. Behnke

Ralph R. Behnke (PhD, University of Kansas, 1966) is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Texas Christian University, TCU Box 298045, Fort Worth, TX 76129, USA. Chris R. Sawyer (PhD, University of North Texas, 1992) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Texas Christian University, TCU Box 298045, Fort Worth, TX 76129, USA. Ralph R. Behnke can be contacted at [email protected]