How to Communicate in Group Situations

Paper Summary:

This paper explains why some people are afraid of public speaking. First the nature of fear and anxiety is discussed. This is followed by a discussion of four things people can do to improve their public speaking ability--systematic desensitization, cognitive restructuring, preparation, and practice.

From the Paper:

"Public speaking is often described as the most common fear in the world. This fear of public speaking is often regarded as a problem that occurs when an individual has to speak in front of a large crowd of people. However, the same fear can be created when speaking in much smaller group situations. While speaking in front of mass audience may be easily avoided, speaking in smaller group situations may not be. For example, a person may be required to speak to a group of employees, or to do a presentation for a group of work colleagues. These situations are far more common and are not something a person can avoid without it harming their life and career. One of the other features of the fear of public speaking is that people often consider it natural. A certain level of nervousness probably is natural, but anxiety is not. There are relatively simple steps a person can take to manage any anxiety they experience. A person can turn what might have been a difficult experience into one that is comfortable for them. Fear of public speaking is not something that a person has to put up with, nor some unchangeable aspect of their personality; fear of public speaking can be overcome."

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