Note by James R. Martin, Ph.D., CMA
Professor Emeritus, University of South Florida
How to Manage Yourself Main |
Education Issues Main
The authors administered the personal report of communication apprehension (See PRCA) to 845 students enrolled in 18 sections of introductory accounting. The paper includes a discussion of the results and three techniques for reducing communication apprehension:
1. Systematic desensitization,
2. Cognitive restructuring, and
3. Assertiveness training.
Systematic desensitization involves learning "how to reach a state of deep muscle relaxation in the presence of a progressive hierarchy of anxiety producing stimuli".
Cognitive restructuring "makes people more aware of their negative self-thoughts and teaches them to think more positively about themselves".
Assertiveness training involves improving a persons ability to communicate the full range of their thoughts and emotions with confidence and skill.
A Google search of the term "communication apprehension" generates an enormous number of web related materials on this topic.
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Some related links:
Fill out the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension Instrument (PRCA) to find your level of communication apprehension.
Wikipedia on Systematic Desensitization
Wikipedia on Cognitive Restructuring
Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders on Assertiveness Training
Anxiety and Depression Association of America on Conquering Stage Fright
Dale Cyphert on Managing Stage Fright
Related summaries:
Drucker, P. F. 2005. Managing oneself. Harvard Business Review (January): 100-109. (Summary).
Kaplan, R. S. 2008. Managing yourself: Reaching your potential. Harvard Business Review (July-August): 45-49. (Summary).
Roberts, L. M., G. Spreitzer, J. Dutton, R. Quinn, E. Heaphy and B. Barker. 2005. How to play to your strengths. Harvard Business Review (January): 74-80. ("You may have more to gain by developing your gifts and leveraging your natural skills than by trying to repair your weaknesses. Here is a systematic way to discover who you are at your very best."). (Summary).
Wademan, D. 2005. The best advice I ever got. Harvard Business Review (January): 35-44. (Summary).