Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This study compared self-reported speech anxiety experienced by female prisoners before and after attending a special program within a state vocational facility. With high scores on the Personal Report of Confidence as a Speaker, 13 women volunteers were treated in a program incorporating various techniques including systematic desensitization, cognitive restructuring, skills training, and shaping. These components were presented in six 2-hr. sessions. Pre- and posttreatment comparisons showed a significant decrease in speech anxiety. Discussion focuses on basic characteristics relevant to this sample (short attention span and low reading levels) and limitations of an institutional nature such as excessive noise, lack of privacy, and restrictions on possession of study materials.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Booth-Butterfield

(1986) Stifle or stimulate: The effects of communication task structure on apprehensive and non-apprehensive students. Communication Education, 35, 337–347.

Chaplin

E. W.

Levine

B. A.

(1981) The effects of total exposure duration and interrupted versus continuous exposure in flooding therapy. Behavior Therapy, 12, 360–368.

DeBlois

(1989) Keeping at risk students in school: Toward a curriculum for potential dropouts. NASSP Bulletin, 73, 6–12.

Jacobson

(1938) Progressive relaxation. Chicago, IL: Univer. of Chicago Press.

Jaremko

M. E.

(1980) The use of stress inoculation training in the reduction of public speaking anxiety. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 36, 735–738.

Longo

D. J.

von Saal

(1984) Respiratory relief therapy: A new treatment procedure for the reduction of anxiety. Behavior Modification, 8, 361–378.

Marshall

W. L.

Parker

Hayes

B. J.

(1982) Treating public speaking problems. Behavior Modification, 6, 147–170.

Meichenbaum

D. H.

(1974) Cognitive behavior modification. Morristown, NJ: General Learning Press.

Meichenbaum

D. H.

Gilmore

J. B.

Fedoravieius

(1971) Group insight versus group desensitization in treating speech anxiety. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 36, 410–421.

10.

Meichenbaum

Turk

D. C.

(1976) The cognitive-behavioral management of anxiety, anger, and pain. In Davidson

(Ed.), The behavioral management of anxiety, depression, and pain. New York: Brunner/Mazel. Pp. 1–34.

11.

Osberg

J. W.

III (1981) The effectiveness of applied relaxation in the treatment of speech anxiety. Behavior Therapy, 12, 723–729.

12.

Paul

G. L.

(1966) Insight vs. desensitization in psychotherapy. Stanford, CA: Stanford Univer. Press.

13.

Spielberger

C. D.

Gorsuch

R. L.

Lushene

R. E.

(1970) STAI: Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.

14.

Wilson

J. A.

Herrnstein

R. J.

(1985) Crime and human nature. New York: Simon & Schuster.

15.

Witherspoon

A. D.

Long

C. K.

Nickell

E. B.

(1989) Differences between female college students and female felons on measures of self-esteem, communication anxiety and social avoidance. (Unpublished manuscript, Auburn Univer. at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL).

16.

Wolpe

(1969) The practice of behavior therapy. New York: Pergamon.

17.

Worthington

E. L.

Tipton

R. M.

Cromley

J. S.

Richard

Janke

R. H.

(1984) Speech and coping skills training and paradox as treatment for college students anxious about public speaking. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 59, 394.

Decreasing Speech Anxiety of Female Prisoners

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References