Social modeling as treatment for public speaking anxiety: a critical review

The primary objective of this thesis was to investigate the feasibility of utilizing social modeling as a possible method by which public speaking anxiety could be reduced. Questions raised for analysis were:

1. Given that social modeling has been used to reduce other phobias, are there ways of employing it so as to use it effectively to reduce speech anxiety?

2. What particular characteristics of modeling enhance its effectiveness in the reduction of speaking anxiety?

3. Why have previous studies not found social modeling significantly more effective than control procedures?

4. How can a training program for the reduction of public speaking anxiety take advantage and employ modeling principles to effectively reduce such anxiety?

A secondary concern of this thesis focused on the responsibility that speech departments have in solving the speech anxiety problem that affects so many students. An in-house speech anxiety management program which utilizes the principles of modeling was recommended in order to help anxious students overcome their fears of public speaking.

A careful review of the literature showed that modeling was effective in reducing a variety of anxieties and probably can be effective in reducing speech anxiety provided the theory is appropriately applied. Further, in comparison studies, modeling techniques were found equal to desensitization methods in reducing anxiety and superior in terms of facilitating the acquisition of those skills necessary to complete the actual task.

In the concluding comments, modeling is discussed in terms of its possible usefulness when variables crucial to its effectiveness are implemented correctly such as, observer-model similarity, reinforcement and a graduated sub-task approach procedure. Further, social modeling seems a desirable choice of methods to reduce public speaking anxiety when used in a public speaking classroom environment where a skills approach is developed as well.