Effects of Positive Attitude toward Giving a Speech on Cardiovascular and Subjective Fear Responses during Speech in Anxious Subjects 1

Abstract

40 speech-anxious subjects were asked to deliver four speeches during the experiment. The conditions varied according to whether the subjects maintained a positive or neutral attitude toward speech prior to each presentation. Heart rate and self-reports of fear were measured during the experiment. Maintaining a positive attitude prior to delivering a speech reduced both subjective anxiety and cardiovascular responses.