The factors involved in glossophobia in a non-clinical student population

Waheed, Hasan (2014) The factors involved in glossophobia in a non-clinical student population. Manchester Metropolitan University. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Glossophobia can be described as an individual’s fear of public speaking, which can have a negative influence on their way of living. The aim of the present study was to assess the factors associated with glossophobia in a non-clinical student population. An opportunity sample recruited one hundred and twenty students (N = 120) to assess factors associated with glossophobia. The questionnaire survey incorporated vignettes to evaluate whether the gender of a hypothetical audience or the audience’s level of interest would influence scores on the social phobia inventory (SPIN), self-esteem (SE) and public self-consciousness (PSC) scales. Pearson’s r correlations, t-tests and ANOVAs were conducted. Findings established a significant relationship between scores reported on SPIN and PSC. T-tests revealed significantly higher mean scores for female participants on SPIN and PSC, but a non-significant difference between male and female participants on SE. Other findings revealed a non-significant interaction between the gender of an audience and the audience’s level of interest on SPIN, SE and PSC scores. The present study extends research related to glossophobia, however future research should consider whether vignettes as a method should be used to assess factors associated with glossophobia.