Self‐report scales of communication apprehension and autonomic arousal (heart rate): A test of construct validity

Abstract

Previous research has typically relied upon self‐report scales of communication apprehension without assessing construct validity. This study attempts to assess the construct validity of selected scales and the constructs “communication anxiety” and “communication fear.” The results indicate higher levels of physiological arousal increase for females. Only scales purporting to measure communication fear were able to predict an a priori product of communication apprehension autonomic arousal.