Glossophobia

Abstract: THE EFFECTS OF GRADUATED EXPOSURE, FEEDBACK, AND GOAL SETTING ON PUBLIC SPEAKING ANXIETY Anxiety disorders are extremely high in prevalence in our society today. One of the most common anxiety disorders is social anxiety disorder, more specifically glossophobia (fear of public speaking). In persons with public speaking anxiety, anxiety is experienced in situations that involve social interactions and speaking in front of an audience. Very few people seek treatment for their anxiety because of the social nature of the disorder, and the social interaction involved in many treatments impacting many aspects of their daily lives (National Institute of Mental Health, 2010). Though this disorder is highly prevalent among the general population, very few behavior analytic studies have been conducted investigating the treatment of them. The present study examined the effects of graduated exposure, goal setting, and either self or researcher feedback on the behavior of 3 participants with self-reported public speaking anxiety, verified by the Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety (PRPSA). After baseline measures were collected, an Alternating Treatments Design (ATD) was used to compare the effects of both conditions. Results do not show a consistent superiority of one type of feedback over the other; however, both seemed to be effective in reducing behaviors associated with glossophobia for all participants. Victoria Jordan Forsythe May 2013 THE EFFECTS OF GRADUATED EXPOSURE, FEEDBACK, AND GOAL SETTING ON PUBLIC SPEAKING ANXIETY by Victoria Jordan Forsythe A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology in the College of Science and Mathematics California State University, Fresno May 2013 APPROVED For the Department of Psychology: We, the undersigned, certify that the thesis of the following student meets the required standards of scholarship, format, and style of the university and the student's graduate degree program for the awarding of the master's degree. Victoria Jordan Forsythe Thesis Author Marianne L. Jackson (Chair) Psychology Amanda N. Adams Psychology Jonpaul D. Moschella Psychology For the University Graduate Committee: Dean, Division of Graduate Studies AUTHORIZATION FOR REPRODUCTION OF MASTER’S THESIS X I grant permission for the reproduction of this thesis in part or in its entirety without further authorization from me, on the condition that the person or agency requesting reproduction absorbs the cost and provides proper acknowledgment of authorship. Permission to reproduce this thesis in part or in its entirety must be obtained from me. Signature of thesis author: ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my committee chair, Dr. Marianne Jackson for her continuous support throughout my graduate career. Her immense knowledge, enthusiasm, and patience have been greatly appreciated over the past three years. I would also like to thank my committee members, Dr. Amanda Adams and Jonpaul Moschella for their encouragement and insightful knowledge in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Last but not least, I would like to thank my parents, Robert and JoAnn Forsythe for their continued support in all areas of my life. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES vii LIST OF FIGURES 1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 2: ANXIETY DISORDERS 3 Symptoms and Treatments of Anxiety Disorders 3 Public Speaking Anxiety 10 Treatments for Public Speaking Anxiety 10 Summary 17 Research Question 18 CHAPTER 3: METHODS 19 Participants 19 Instruments 19 Setting 19 Independent Variables 20 Dependent Variables 20 Design 21 Procedures 21 Data Collection and Interobserver Agreement 24 Treatment Integrity 24 Social Validity 24 CHAPTER 4: RESULTS 26 Data Analysis 26 IOA and TI 36

Abstract: Pubic speaking is an individual skill that is a necessity in the current era of disruption. Public speaking skills are needed to support the best results in education, the social environment, and the workplace. But not everyone is able to do public speaking well. Previous research states that the condition is caused by excessive fear of individuals to speak in front of the crowd (glossophobia). The objectives of this training are (1) to open students' horizons about public speaking; (2) arousing student motivation so as not to worry about public speaking; and (3) train students practically to be able to practice public speaking in everyday life. This training uses three stages, namely, pre-training research, lectures and discussions, and the practice of public speaking. The results of the training provide practical public speaking techniques to students with a simple concept known as POBC namely Planning, Opening, the Body of Speech, and Conclusion and mind mapping. This method is considered to make it easier for students to do public speaking systematically from planning to closing interesting speeches.