The Effect of Self-Concept, Self-Disclosure, and Type of Basic Speech Course on Communication Apprehension.

Approximately 150 college students participated in a study that investigated the effects of self-concept, self-disclosure, and type of basic speech course on communication apprehension. The subjects were drawn from three basic speech course populations at two universities. They had been free to enroll in either a public speaking, interpersonal communication, or small group communication course. All three courses required oral presentations. After the first week of each course, the subjects were administered a communication apprehension instrument and four separate instruments designed to measure self-concept and self-disclosure. Results showed negative correlations between both self-concept and self-disclosure and communication apprehension. Findings indicated also that the type of speech course did not significantly affect apprehension. (FL)