Communication Apprehension, Self-Perceived Communication Competence, and Willingness to Communicate: A French Analysis

Abstract

This study explored the extent to which cultural variables, specifically religious identity and individualism/collectivism, related to communicative traits in France. Communication apprehension (CA), self-perceived communication competence (SPCC), and willingness to communicate (WTC) were examined among self-identified Catholics and Muslims (n=533). Correlation analysis revealed that CA is negatively correlated with both SPCC and WTC, whereas SPCC and WTC are positively correlated. Regression analyses revealed that Muslims have higher levels of CA and Catholics have higher levels of SPCC. Additionally, higher levels of collectivism are related to higher levels of CA and to lower levels of SPCC and WTC, while higher levels of individualism are related to lower levels of CA.

Keywords:

• Communication Apprehension
• Self-Perceived Communication Competence
• Willingness to Communicate
• Individualism/Collectivism
• Religion

Notes

[1] Detailed tables for Eigenvalues for the first three measures are available upon request to the author. The factor loadings for the Auckland Individualism–collectivism Measure are provided because multiple items were dropped to obtain the best factor solution.

[2] “Present a talk to a group of strangers” was the dropped item for the SPCC.

[3] Hofstede (1980, 2001) treats individualism/collectivism as two sides of the same dimension. Triandis, Brislin, & Hui (1988) and Shulruf et al. (2007) treat them as two separate dimensions.