Author: Beenish Naseem
Supervisor: Tahira Mubashar
Degree: M.Sc
Year: 2013-2015
University: Institute of Applied Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
Over the past periods, there has been extensive rise in literature concerning the epidemiology and management of public speaking anxiety (PSA). Public speaking anxiety is detected as the obstacle of student’s oral communication (Blote et al., 2009). Not only students get anxious when speaking in public setting but also lay people fear doing it. The present research was conducted with the aim to find out the difference in public speaking anxiety in students after receiving short term interventions, and the relationship of public speaking anxiety and self- concept. It was hypothesized that (a) there was likely to be a difference in public speaking anxiety before and after intervention; (b) there was likely to be a significant relationship between public speaking anxiety and self- concept in students. The sample consisted of N = 50, (n = 22, experimental group; n = 28, control group) students from Queen Marry College for girls, Lahore. Personal report of public speaking anxiety (McCroskeyy, 1970) and multidimensional self-concept scale (Robson, 1989) were used for the assessment of public speaking anxiety and self- concept of students. The short-term intervention comprised of progressive muscle relaxation technique, breathing exercises and tips to cope and reduce public speaking anxiety. Data was analyzed by using paired samples t-test, independent samples t-test and Pearson product moment correlation. Findings revealed that self-help intervention was successful in reducing public speaking anxiety to a great extent. There was a negative relationship in public speaking anxiety and self-concept. Findings of the study can guide student counselors and teachers about effective ways to reduce public speaking anxiety in students.
Keywords: Intervention, Public Speaking Anxiety, Self-Concept.
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Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245
