This paper introduces the constructs of interpretive styles from the empowerment
literature. It proposes these styles as cognitive variables that shape communica
tion apprehension (CA). We report an empirical study of oral briefings by naval
officers. Results show that CA was linked to two interpretive styles: it was posi
tively linked to deficiency focusing (the tendency to focus on what is wrong, can
go wrong, and is wrong with oneself) and negatively linked to envisioning suc
cess (the tendency to build mental images of succeeding). Results also show that
CA diminished performance on the briefing, and that greater preparation was
not an effective way of coping with apprehension.
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