A rise in student apprehension : investigating the impact of communication anxiety among undergraduate students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was meant to explore communication apprehension (CA) among undergraduate students and to discover if there is a significant difference linking students enrolled in a Communication program to lower levels of CA. This research aims to determine if there is a significant presence of apprehension among all students and the correlation of apprehension dependent upon the educational path they have decided. This was determined by utilizing self report instruments including a demographic questionnaire as well as a standardized report of CA. The results suggested that there is a significant difference that links Communication students to lower levels of CA. In general, students who are familiar with the subject and principles of communication tend to experience less CA because of their familiarity and comfortability with each context of communication. Limitations of this research include the limited amount of survey results in the data collection process. Practically, students are shown to be apprehensive regardless of their academic program for which they are enrolled. Yet, even with the means of both groups considered to be medium levels of apprehensiveness, Communication students tend to have less CA. While there appears to be a multitude of research on the subject of CA and implications to individual's on certain demographics, there is no present research that links a student's academic program to their level of CA that they experience.