Page 89 - Between One and Many The Art and Science of Public Speaking

Self-Assessment

How Anxious Are You About Public Speaking?

The following scale measures communication anxiety in general, as well as anxiety resulting
from communication in four specifi c contexts: (1) dyads, (2) small groups, (3) meetings, and
(4) public settings. Upon completion of the measure, you may fi nd that although your overall
score is indicative of mild levels of communication anxiety, you are moderately to highly anx-
ious about communicating in one or more specifi c contexts. Some research, for example, in-
dicates that communicating in groups, meetings, and public settings is most anxiety arousing
for students much like you. In any case, the techniques introduced in this chapter will help you
cope with your communication anxieties, regardless of their contextual source.

Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA-24)
Directions: This instrument is composed of 24 statements concerning your feelings about
communication with other people. Please indicate in the space provided the degree to which
each statement applies to you by marking whether you (1) Strongly Agree, (2) Agree, (3) Are
Undecided, (4) Disagree, or (5) Strongly Disagree with each statement. There are no right or
wrong answers. Many of the statements are similar to other statements. Do not be concerned
about this. Work quickly; just record your fi rst impression.
1. I dislike participating in group discussions.
2. Generally, I am comfortable while participating in a group discussion.
3. I am tense and nervous while participating in group discussions.
4. I like to get involved in group discussions.
5. Engaging in a group discussion with new people makes me tense and nervous.
6. I am calm and relaxed while participating in group discussions.
7. Generally, I am nervous when I have to participate in a meeting.
8. Usually I am calm and relaxed while participating in meetings.
9. I am very calm and relaxed when I am called upon to express an opinion at a
meeting.
10. I am afraid to express myself at meetings.
11. Communicating at meetings usually makes me uncomfortable.
12. I am very relaxed when answering questions at a meeting.
13. While participating in a conversation with a new acquaintance, I feel very
nervous.
14. I have no fear of speaking up in conversations.
15. Ordinarily I am very tense and nervous in conversations.
16. Ordinarily I am very calm and relaxed in conversations.

speaking are perceived quite negatively. Even though their physical well-being
isn’t truly threatened by the task of speaking, their highly negative view of the
task causes their bodies to react as if it were. As a result, they may tremble, blush,
and perspire. Such a reaction would be justifi ed if they were running away from
a knife-wielding attacker. But that is not the case. They are standing in front of a
56 group of people who actually want them to succeed.