Communication Apprehension
By Jamie Hartsgrove
 
 


    Definition of CA              Introduction   Causes of CA      Ways to Avoid CA
  Research on CA     CA Test Questionnaire         Links           References

 
 
 
 


Definition
     Communication Apprehension is defined as an “Individual level of fear or anxiety associated with either real or anticipated communication with another person or persons.” (McCrosky, 1977)

     Communication Apprehension goes further than just stage fright found in “classrooms, school assemblies, and drama productions.  It’s a pattern of anxiety, established often in the elementary grades, which can affect much or all of our student’s oral communication, social skills, and self-esteem.” (Holbrook, Digest.)  Communication anxiety can be situational, and can be considered traitlike behavior.  Personality traits and situational contexts is where much of the factors of CA are present.  There are many things that cause CA.  I will discuss this in the next section.


 
 

Introduction

     Have you ever felt like you have difficulties talking in a certain situation?  Have you ever been in front of an audience, and just froze, not knowing just what to say?  Were you the one that grew up being the “quiet student in the classroom?”  Have you ever experienced any anxiety, nervousness, pain, discomfort, stress, pressure, or any other symptoms toward communication?  If you have experienced any of these circumstances, than you have experienced Communication Apprehension.  Everyone from time to time has experienced some apprehension toward communication.  But some individuals really experience this issue on a day to day basis.  The most common issue of Communication apprehension is found in speaking in front of an audience.  Here there is a fear of what people are going to think or say about what you are talking about in front of the audience.  I have experienced this, when I used to try going up in front of the classroom, and speaking.
     The fear of speaking is a real issue that everyone needs to recognize.  It does exist and forever will exist without the proper education against it.  “As many as 80% of the U.S. population believes that speaking publicly is the most scary thing there is to be asked to do.” (weber.edu)  Communication Apprehension is present in all sorts of areas.  College students experience it when placed in small groups or when presenting something in front of the class.  There could be Communication Apprehension when writing something for a business, school situation, or in any pressure situation.  People can experience it when talking to someone in public or private setting.  Where ever you go where communication is needed or present, Communication Apprehension is also there.  College Students experience it all the time even though they have had experience in the educational field.  “About one of every five persons--20 percent of all college students--is communication apprehensive...Communication apprehensive people may not appear apprehensive unless they are engaging in a particular type of communication.”  (Pearson & Nelson, An Introduction to human Communication, p. 224)
 Communication Apprehension can be distinguished into two levels: Ones with a low form (aka low CA) and ones with a high form (aka high CA).  Individuals with a high level of CA contain high levels of anxiety when it comes to communication.  They feel more comfortable when alone and isolated.  They tend to have lower self-esteem, and have a high level of fear of communicating with others.  A low CA does posses some uneasiness of communicating, but in general can control it to an extent.  This would probably characterize those who, although get a little nervous when making a speech, get over it, and speaks fairly well.  Although they speak well, they still experience nervousness, and anxiety about speaking, but they control it.

Ways to Avoid or reduce CA.

     A few ways to help a child who is shy and might have a high level of CA is:
 

                                        These factors might help with a shy CA child.

    Some other ways that CA can be reduced or prevented is through teaching from the early childhood.  Parents need to always encourage communication in their families, and help their child develop socially.  Teachers need to create activities that encourage oral communication and interpersonal styles.  By making students speak in front of the class when they are young, it forces the student to get through the “stage fright” one often endures.  Having students speak at there seats, or meeting with them and encouraging their development might reduce some aspects of CA.  Acceptance, and building the child's self-esteem helps reduce CA.  Teachers and parents need to make communication a rewarding thing.  Make them feel rewarded for communicating.  Making the student or child feel safe communicating will directly effect them, and may reduce their anxiety about communicating.


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