The Effect of Covert Modeling on Communication Apprehension, Communication Confidence, and Performance

This study examined the effect of covert modeling on communication apprehension, public speaking anxiety, and communication competence. Students identified as highly communication apprehensive received covert modeling, a technique in which one first observes a model doing a behavior, then visualizes oneself performing the behavior and obtaining a good outcome. Research has shown this technique to be effective in reducing avoidant behavior (Kazdin, 1973), phobias (Bandura, Adams, Hardy, & Howells, 1980), and social anxiety (Kazdin, 1979). Students visualized themselves having to cope with minor problems that came up as they prepared for and delivered their upcoming speeches. Results showed covert modeling was effective in reducing communication anxiety in students with initially clinical levels of communication apprehension. Implications regarding communication competence and performance are discussed. (Contains 34 references and 2 tables of data.) (Author/RS) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document