Social Anxiety - Communication Apprehension

Communication Apprehension

Social anxiety causes communication apprehension, which can be thought of as an "internally experienced feeling of discomfort", in turn causes ineffective communication when in a social or public situation. “Communication apprehension is the level of fear or anxiety associated with either real or anticipated communication with another person”. Early communication researchers described physiological sensations experienced while giving a public speech as "profound discomfort". Patients with social anxiety typically experience embarrassment, distressing panic attacks, and self-consciousness impairing their speech. According to a study done by Robin and Mills, children experiencing social anxiety show issues in social perspective-taking ability, fewer successful problem solving skills, and use less interpersonal problem solutions. The feelings of embarrassment, inferiority, and shame inhibit the ability to seek help.

Imagined interactions (IIs) refer to the cognitive process of individuals indirectly experiencing themselves in anticipated future communication interactions with others through the process of imagination. IIs have their theoretical roots in symbolic interactions. The functions of IIs is to put into practice the phrase "practice makes perfect". When using IIs you can try to anticipate what is going to happen, and by doing this people with low communication skills can try and account for what is going to happen in the upcoming interaction. According to the article "Communication Apprehension and Imagined Interactions", people who practiced IIs were less likely to have nonverbal displays of apprehension. e.g. fewer silent pauses, shorter speech on set latencies, and fewer object adapters. IIs are said to increase the readiness to communicate and decrease the apprehension associated with a communication episode.

One thing that increases communication apprehension is if the partner is unknown. Some things that can reduce communication apprehension is if someone is extroverted, has good self-control, high levels of self-esteem, and has high willingness to disclose information. These are all things that contribute to helping reduce communication apprehension.