Psychology
Topic
Speech Anxiety
Group Members:
Shaista Zafar (11011519-099)
Iqra Ishaq
(11011519-043)
BSCS 6th
Section B
UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT
Table of Content
Sr.No.
Title
Page No.
Introduction
Methodology
Results
10
Conclusion
26
Suggestions
27
References
Appendices
List of Tables
2
Sr.No.
Title of Table
Page No.
Table No.1
11
Table No.2
12
Table No.3
13
Table No.4
14
Table No.5
15
Table No.6
16
Table No.7
17
Table No.8
18
Table No.9
19
10
Table No.10
20
11
Table No.11
21
12
Table No.12
22
13
Table No.13
23
14
Table No.14
24
3
15
Table No.15
25
List of Appendices
Appendices
Title
Appendix A
Sample Questionnaire
Appendix B
Filled Questionnaires
Introduction:
Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking. The word Glossophobia comes from the
Greek glssa, meaning tongue, and phobos, fear or dread.
4
Glossophobia is the technical term given to a severe fear of public speaking. People who suffer
from Glossophobia tend to freeze in front of any audience, even a couple of people. They find
their mouth dries up, their voice is weak and their body starts shaking. They may even sweat, go
red and feel their heart thumping rapidly.
If you suffer from Glossophobia you shy away from any opportunity to speak in public. Your
symptoms are usually so severe you get terribly embarrassed and fearful of any public speaking.
Public speaking is considered the greatest
fear a person can have, even greater than
the fear of death.
Why are we afraid of speaking in public?
The reason most people get anxious when required to speak to a group is that they are afraid of
looking foolish or stupid in front of many of their peers and important people. They are afraid
that their mind will go blank or that their lack of speaking skills will lower the opinion others
have of them.
Being humiliated can destroy a person's ego and confidence. It can really ruin your day too.
Causes Of Speech Anxiety
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Self-consciousness in front of large groups.
Fear of appearing nervous.
Concern that others are judging you
Past failures
Poor or insufficient preparation
Dissatisfaction with your abilities
Poor breathing habits
Discomfort with your own body and movement
Comparing ourselves to others
Symptoms:
Symptoms of Glossophobia, also known as speech anxiety, include:
sweaty palms
5
increased heart beat
shortness of breath
nausea
dry mouth
increased blood pressure
increased muscle tension
Glossophobia can exhibit itself in many ways, including:
Actors, actresses and musicians finding shows and concerts extremely difficult
Businesspeople having a fear of making presentations
The fear of making speeches at weddings
The fear in anticipation of a public speaking event
The avoidance of situations that might include public speaking
Estimated 75% of all people experience some degree of anxiety/nervousness when public
speaking.
Objectives:
Why people suffering from Speech anxiety?
How we can prohibit from Speech anxiety?
To help you to identify what makes them scared of speaking in public.
To help youth build their communications skills though simple speaking
opportunities.
Overview:
Our study is to determine whether or not students have a different level of Speech anxiety
between giving a speech to a group of people. Fear of public speaking is a very common form of
social phobia, with great social significance. People who fear speaking in public may find their
6
career choices limited closed to them, resulting in considerable personal distress, frustration and
depression.
The Fear of rejection is a ridiculous fear that has you convinced that people wont accept you for
one or more reasons. Maybe you fear that you wont accept your opinions, values, beliefs, or
behavior. No matter what it is, one thing is clear that it is very unbearable fear that significantly
influences your daily decisions and action.Infact, while under the influence of this fear you will
do things differently than you normally would if you didnt fear rejection.
For this very reason, your fear of rejection is likely to impact your career, your relationship, as
well as your everyday social interactions.
Significance:
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the teaching of affective strategies helps
reduce high levels of public speaking anxiety. The results of the study indicate that the students
experienced significantly less anxiety after they had been taught how to manage their distress, by
means of affective strategies.
Definition Of Fear :
An unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.
Be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or harmful.
Fear of rejection:
The fear of rejection is one of our deepest human fears. Biologically wired with a longing to
belong, we fear being seen in a critical way. Were anxious about the prospect of being cut off,
demeaned, or isolated. We fear being alone. We dread change.
Causes Of Fear Of Rejection:
There are hundreds of reasons that could result in the fear of rejection, here are some examples
that can help you understand where such a fear comes from:
Childhood experiences: Our childhood experiences determine our future behavior to
a certain extent. If you suffered from rejection by your peers, teachers or even parents
when you were a child then you may develop fear of rejection when you grow up. In such
a case your subconscious mind fears that the same situation happens once again and that's
why it lets you experience the fear of rejection
7
Fear of rejection may be caused by lack of self confidence: if you suffer
from lack of self confidence you will certainly fear rejection. People who lack self
confidence depend on the opinion of other people around them to feel good and that's
why the slightest threat to the change in this opinion can result in fears.
Fear of rejection may be fear of loneliness :Sometimes the underlying cause for
fear of rejection is the fear of being abandoned or ending up alone.
Symptoms:
Sadness and depression
Reduced motivation
Anxiety
Low confidence
Low self-esteem
Suicidal thinking
Hypothesis:
Fear of Rejection is the cause of Speech Anxiety
Methodology
1)
Research design:
We use Survey Research Design for our topic Speech Anxiety. In Survey
Research design we made questionnaires about speech anxiety. Through this
research method , we can collect data from large number of people in short
time.
2)
Population:
3)
Sample:
We collect data from the students of University of Gujrat . So the all students
of UOG departments came in Population.
We collect data from the students of Math Department ,Physics Department,
Chemistry, Computer Science Department, Business Administration
Department, MBA Students, Sociology Department, Economics Department,
Software Engineering Department, Information Technology Department,
Zoology Department, and from M.com Students.
4)
Sampling technique:
For the collection of data from UOG students we use Random Sampling
technique.
5)
Research instrument:
We made Questionnaire about Speech Anxiety(afraid of Public Speaking) and a survey was
conducted on self-developed questions made by personal experience and observation..There
are 15 statements(Multiple choice questions) in our questionnaire which
measure why people afraid of public speaking, Reason of fearing to speak in
public and how people feel when they hear about public speaking.
6)
Analysis Plan:
At the end when we fill all questionnaires we use descriptive analysis through
SPSS 16 for the finding of the results.
Results
Table No.1
Table of Gender:
Frequency of gender is there are 13 male and 20 females and valid
percentage is 39.4 and 60.6 respectively.
gender of participant
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
Male
13
39.4
39.4
39.4
Female
20
60.6
60.6
100.0
Total
33
100.0
100.0
10
Interpretation: The Ratio of Female is more than ratio of male.
Statement 1:
While preparing for giving a speech, I feel tense and nervous
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
strongly agree
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
21.2
21.2
21.2
15
45.5
45.5
66.7
Disagree
27.3
27.3
93.9
strongly disagree
6.1
6.1
100.0
33
100.0
100.0
Agree
Total
11
Interpretation: The Higher percentage of Statement 1 is Agree and Lowest
percentage is disagree.
Statement 2:
12
I cannot speak in public place, because I think people will laugh at me
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
strongly agree
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
3.0
3.0
3.0
Agree
12
36.4
36.4
39.4
Disagree
14
42.4
42.4
81.8
18.2
18.2
100.0
33
100.0
100.0
strongly disagree
Total
Interpretation: The Higher percentage of Statement 2 is Disagree and Lowest
percentage is Strongly agree.
Statement 3:
13
My thoughts become confused and jumbled when I am giving a speech
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
strongly agree
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
9.1
9.1
9.1
Agree
15
45.5
45.5
54.5
Disagree
13
39.4
39.4
93.9
6.1
6.1
100.0
33
100.0
100.0
strongly disagree
Total
Interpretation: The Higher percentage of Statement 3 is agree and Lowest
percentage is Strongly disagree.
Statement 4:
14
Although I am nervous just before starting a speech, I soon settle down after starting
and feel calm and comfortable.
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
strongly agree
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
27.3
27.3
27.3
22
66.7
66.7
93.9
Disagree
3.0
3.0
97.0
strongly disagree
3.0
3.0
100.0
33
100.0
100.0
Agree
Total
Interpretation: The Higher percentage of Statement 4 is agree and Lowest
percentage is same at Strongly disagree and disagree.
Statement 5:
15
When the instructor announces a speaking assignment in class, I can feel myself
getting tense.
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
strongly agree
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
18.2
18.2
18.2
Agree
12
36.4
36.4
54.5
Disagree
13
39.4
39.4
93.9
6.1
6.1
100.0
33
100.0
100.0
strongly disagree
Total
Interpretation: The Higher percentage of Statement 5 is disagree and Lowest
percentage is Strongly disagree.
16
Statement 6:
My hands tremble when I am giving a speech
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
strongly agree
18.2
18.2
18.2
Agree
24.2
24.2
42.4
16
48.5
48.5
90.9
9.1
9.1
100.0
33
100.0
100.0
Disagree
strongly disagree
Total
Interpretation: The Higher percentage of Statement 6 is disagree and Lowest
percentage is Strongly disagree.
Statement 7:
17
I enjoy preparing for a speech.
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
strongly agree
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
15.2
15.2
15.2
18
54.5
54.5
69.7
Disagree
24.2
24.2
93.9
strongly disagree
6.1
6.1
100.0
33
100.0
100.0
Agree
Total
Interpretation: The Higher percentage of Statement 7 is agree and Lowest
percentage is Strongly disagree.
Statement 8:
18
I am in constant fear of forgetting what I prepared to say
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
strongly agree
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
3.0
3.0
3.0
Agree
18
54.5
54.5
57.6
Disagree
11
33.3
33.3
90.9
9.1
9.1
100.0
33
100.0
100.0
strongly disagree
Total
Interpretation: The Higher percentage of Statement 8 is agree and Lowest
percentage is Strongly agree.
Statement 9:
19
I get anxious if someone asks me something about my topic that I do not know
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
strongly agree
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
3.0
3.0
3.0
Agree
12
36.4
36.4
39.4
Disagree
18
54.5
54.5
93.9
6.1
6.1
100.0
33
100.0
100.0
strongly disagree
Total
Interpretation: The Higher percentage of Statement 9 is disagree and Lowest
percentage is Strongly agree.
Statement 10:
20
My heart beats very fast just as I start a speech
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
strongly agree
10
30.3
30.3
30.3
Agree
10
30.3
30.3
60.6
Disagree
12
36.4
36.4
97.0
3.0
3.0
100.0
33
100.0
100.0
strongly disagree
Total
Interpretation: The Higher percentage of Statement 10 is disagree and Lowest
percentage is Strongly disagree.
Statement 11:
21
While giving a speech, I know I can control my feelings of tension and stress.
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
strongly agree
agree
disagree
Total
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
24.2
24.2
24.2
18
54.5
54.5
78.8
21.2
21.2
100.0
33
100.0
100.0
Interpretation: The Higher percentage of Statement 11 is agree and Lowest
percentage is disagree.
Statement 12:
22
When I make a mistake while giving a speech, I find it hard to concentrate on the
parts that follow
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
strongly agree
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
12.1
12.1
12.1
agree
12
36.4
36.4
48.5
disagree
17
51.5
51.5
100.0
Total
33
100.0
100.0
Interpretation: The Higher percentage of Statement 12 is disagree and Lowest
percentage is Strongly agree.
Statement 13:
23
fear of rejection is the major cause of speech anxiety
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
strongly agree
agree
disagree
Total
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
21.2
21.2
21.2
20
60.6
60.6
81.8
18.2
18.2
100.0
33
100.0
100.0
Interpretation: The Higher percentage of Statement 13 is agree and Lowest
percentage is disagree.
Statement 14:
24
Fear of rejection is a hurdle in the way of my achievements
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
strongly agree
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
18.2
18.2
18.2
15
45.5
45.5
63.6
Disagree
27.3
27.3
90.9
strongly disagree
9.1
9.1
100.0
33
100.0
100.0
Agree
Total
Interpretation: The Higher percentage of Statement 14 is agree and Lowest
percentage is Strongly disagree.
25
Statement 15:
I feel tense when I see the words "speech" and "public speech" on a course outline
when studying
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
strongly agree
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
12.1
12.1
12.1
Agree
12
36.4
36.4
48.5
Disagree
16
48.5
48.5
97.0
3.0
3.0
100.0
33
100.0
100.0
strongly disagree
Total
Interpretation: The Higher percentage of Statement 15 is disagree and Lowest
percentage is Strongly disagree.
26
Conclusion
The statement 1 shows that most of the people /students feel nervous and tense while preparing
for speech.2nd statements highest ratio is at disagree. It shows that it is not the reason of speech
anxiety that people have the fear that while giving speech other people will laugh at me.3 rd
Statements highest ratio is agree , that while giving speech most of students confuse their
thoughts become jumbled, its reason is low confidence and it also be like speaker is not sure that
might be all people are not agree by the speech he is giving.4 th statements highest ratio is agree.
Its because students have the fear to face a large number of audience and also fear to speak in
front of audience.5th statements highest ratio is disagree. It means students have the courage to
speak but because of some reasons like low confidence, fear to face audience etc is like a hurdle
in the way to speak in front of large group of people. but the %age of agree is also going upward
as well as the disagree %age is going. But disagree is approaching highest ratio.6 th statements
highest ratio is disagree. It shows that physically there is no symptoms of speech anxiety like
trembling hands etc . its only the inner fear of speaking that the students have.7 th statements
highest ratio is agree. Students enjoy to prepare a speech its like there is a golden chance for
students to speak in front of audience to face a lot of people. and its also a chance for students to
speak what they have inside ? what they want ? what are their opinion. It will raise there
confidence and there will power.8th statements highest ratio is agree. Reason is same how to fear
a lot of people? how to give a speech ? 9th statements highest ratio is disagree. The 10th
statements highest ratio is disagree, that heart beats rate not fast while giving a speech. Its like
a normal way to speak in front of audience.11th statements highest ratio is agree. Some students
hide their tension and nervousness while giving speech but most of the students have guts to hide
their nervousness.12th statements highest ratio is disagree. Statement is while giving speech I
find it hard to concentrate on the parts that follow.13th statements highest ratio is agree statement
is fear of rejection is the major cause of speech anxiety. Most of the student have fear that the
speech they give will be rejected . this fear creates fear to speak.14 th statements highest ratio is
agree. The fear of public speaking is like a hurdle in the way of students achievements. If they
have no fear to speak they will speak out what they want? Whats their opinion?15 th statements
highest ratio is disagree. Students dont feel tense when they see the words speech and public
speech.
27
Overall Conclusion of our topic is that speech anxiety is not the major issue.But the fear of
rejection is the main problem to speak out. Fear of rejection is the major cause of speech anxiety.
The fear of rejection is one of our deepest human fears.
Suggestions
Shaista Zafar
Speech Anxiety can be reduced by making practice a lot of times. So that we gain power to speak
in front of audience. and fear of rejection is the main cause we should clear this in our mind that
it is only our inner fear or hesitation which bound us to speak out what we want to say?
Iqra Ishaq
Speech anxiety can be reduced by having self confidence. You think that which work you are
doing is good. If you have confidence then u can say all but .If you so feel hesitation this will be
taken to your mind and you cant think properly this way you will not be able to say something.
References:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
http://www.glossophobia.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossophobia
http://www.hawaii.edu/mauispeech/html/speechanxiety.html
http://www.2knowmyself.com/fear/fear_of_rejection
Appendix A
28
Questionnaire
This survey is about to find out the reasons of speech anxiety. Be honest to fill it.
Name : _______________________
Age:_____________________
Semester : _______________________
Dep: _____________________
Indicate the degree to which the statements apply to you by marking whether you
Strongly agree, agree , Disagree or strongly disagree.
1) While preparing for giving a speech,
I feel tense and nervous.
Strongly
agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
2) I cannot speak in public
place, because I think people
will laugh at me?
Strongly
agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
3) My thoughts become confused and
jumbled when I am giving a speech.
Strongly
agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
4) Although I am nervous just before
starting a speech, I soon settle down
after starting and feel calm and
comfortable.
Strongly
agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
5) When the instructor announces a
speaking assignment in class, I can
feel myself getting tense.
Strongly
agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
6) My hands tremble when I am giving
a speech.
Strongly
agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
7) I enjoy preparing for a speech.
Strongly
agree
Strongly
agree
Strongly
agree
Agree
Disagree
Agree
Disagree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
8) I am in constant fear of forgetting
what I prepared to say.
9) I get anxious if someone asks me
something about my topic that I do
not know.
29
10)
My heart beats very fast just
as I start a speech.
Strongly
agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
11)
While giving a speech, I
know I can control my feelings of
tension and stress.
Strongly
agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
12)
When I make a mistake
while giving a speech, I find it hard
to concentrate on the parts that
follow.
Strongly
agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
13)
fear of rejection is the
major cause of speech
anxiety
Strongly
agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
14)
Fear of rejection is a
hurdle in the way of my
achievements.
Strongly
agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
15)
I feel tense when I see the
words "speech" and "public speech"
on a course outline when studying.
Strongly
agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
Q: Give your opinion about other causes of speech anxiety?
A: _____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
30
Appendix B
31
