Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1985

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major Professor

Robert S. Ambler

Committee Members

Marcus Ambrester, John Buckley, Faye Julian, William Poppen

Abstract

This study attempted to affirm the previously established relationship (Ambler & Elkins, 1985) between irrational beliefs and communication apprehension (OA). Four-hundred fifty-four subjects from undergraduate speech communication classes completed a 94 item questionnaire which consisted of 70 items from Jones' (1968) Irrational Beliefs Test (IBT) and all 24 items from McCroskey's (1982b) Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA-24).

A statistically significant association (r = .29, p<.001) between the IBT and the PRCA-24 was demonstrated. The association between IBT and the PRCA-24 was statistically greater for males (r = .40, p.<.001) than for females (r = .18, p.<.001). These results were as predicted.

Components of the IBT showing a statistically significant association with PRCA-24 scores were the following subtests: Demand for approval (r = .17, p.<.001). High self-expectations (r = .18, p <.001), Anxious overconcern (r = .21, p<.001). Problem avoidance (r = .28, p<.001), and Helplessness (r = .21, p<.001). The two remaining subtests of the IBT used in this study. Frustration reactivity and Dependency, showed no significant relationship with PRCA-24. While it was predicted that the associations between PRCA-24 scores and two IBT subtests. Demand for approval and Dependency, would be greater for females, the reverse effect was demonstrated. The predicted association of specific irrational beliefs with overall CA according to one's gender was washed out by the general tendency for irrational beliefs and CA to be more associated for males than for females.

The predicted greater association of irrational beliefs with CA for the public speaking component as compared to the Dyadic component of the PRCA-24 was not confirmed.

Results for the IBT and its subtests were compared using both Jones' (1968) original scoring method and Lohr and Bonge's (1982b) revised scoring technique. These results support Lohr and Bonge's assertions that Frustration reactivity is not a verifiable independent scale on the IBT, and that their revised version of the IBT provides purer measures of the subtests. Additional analyses of the items on the IBT suggest that idiosyncratic wording of the items may undermine efforts to affirm empirically the theoretical relationship between irrational beliefs and communication associated constructs such as CA and assertiveness.

Results of the study are discussed in terms of their implications for improved measures of irrational beliefs. These measures potentially would be helpful for speech/communication instructors in identifying and assisting students with high CA.

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