Everett Dirksen: “I am a man of fixed and unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible at all times.” Paradox is the nature of man. Craig Wagganer, author and keynote speaker for The Leader’s Institute Leadership and Team Building Company
Rick:
In your October 30 blog post you asked “what is the factor of increase in anxiety when we have to speak with little or no preparation?”
I am not sure if you are asking whether impromptu speaking makes more people anxious, or if it makes people more anxious. While impromptu speaking is different than doing a prepared speech it does not make more people anxious.
Two published surveys have looked at whether more people are anxious about one type of impromptu speaking. I have discussed both of them last year in posts on my Joyful Public speaking blog.
On June 25, 2009 I mentioned a US survey (NCS-R) reported by Ruscio et al. For “public speaking/performance” 21.2% reported a fear, while for “speaking up in a meeting/class” 19.5% reported a fear.
On November 17, 2009 I mentioned a survey of Canadians by Stein et al.
For “giving a speech or speaking in public” 15.1% reported a fear, while for “taking part or speaking in a meeting or class” 14.4% reported a fear.
Impromptu speaking is different than doing a prepared speech, but it does not make more people anxious.
The two studies you site come up short in “proving” impromptu public speaking does not cause more anxiety. First I’m not sure the difference between the two questions is statistically significant. In other words there is very little difference between the two groups. in the NCS-R study the difference is less than 2% and in the Stein study it is less than 1%. But more significantly both studies include classroom speaking. There is a tremendous difference between “taking part” or “speaking up” in a classroom and being called upon to speak on an impromptu basis. In short I appreciate your comments, but I believe your conclusions are erroneous.
Rick Highsmith