A1 Journal article (refereed)
Measuring Public Speaking Anxiety : Self-report, behavioral, and physiological (2022)

Gallego, A., McHugh, L., Penttonen, M., & Lappalainen, R. (2022). Measuring Public Speaking Anxiety : Self-report, behavioral, and physiological. Behavior Modification, 46(4), 782-798. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445521994308

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Gallego, Ana; McHugh, Louise; Penttonen, Markku; Lappalainen, Raimo

Journal or series: Behavior Modification

ISSN: 0145-4455

eISSN: 1552-4167

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 16/02/2021

Volume: 46

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 782-798

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445521994308

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/76298

Web address of parallel published publication (pre-print): https://psyarxiv.com/4g9yv/

Abstract

Self-reports are typically used to assess public speaking anxiety. In this study, we examined whether self-report, observer report, and behavioral and physiological reactivity were associated with each other during a speech challenge task. A total of 95 university students completed a self-report measure of public speaking anxiety before and after the speech challenge. Speech duration (i.e., behavioral measure), physiological reactivity, as well as speech performance evaluated by the participants and observers were also recorded. The results suggest that self-reported public speaking anxiety predicts speech duration, as well as speech quality, as rated by the participants themselves and observers. However, the physiological measures were not associated with self-reported anxiety during the speech task. Additionally, we observed that socially anxious participants underrate their speech performance in comparison to their observers’ evaluations.

Keywords: performance anxiety; social phobia; reactivity; physiological psychology

Free keywords: public speaking anxiety; social anxiety; distress tolerance; speech challenge; behavioral assessment task; physiological reactivity

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1