Public speaking state anxiety as a function of trait anxiety and reactivity mechanisms

Abstract

Over the past several decades, communication scholars have focused on the interesting relationship between state and trait anxiety. Generally, they have been able to account for about 50% of the variance between these two forms of anxiety. In the present study, sensitization during the initial minute of speech performance was shown to be directly related to speaker state anxiety, whereas habituation (adaptation) was inversely related to speech anxiety, suggesting a maladaptive component of psychological arousability. When combined with trait anxiety, maladaptive and hypersensitive psychological arousal accounted for 72 % of public speaking state anxiety. Consequently, combining psychological reactivity and trait anxiety provides an effective model for describing and predicting speech state anxiety in public speakers. Recommendations for therapeutic and pedagogical practices are suggested.