Writing Apprehension and Writing Intensity in Business and Industry

This study tested the hypothesis that high writing apprehensive subjects would differ significantly from low writing apprehensive subjects in regard to the writing intensity of their jobs. A random sample of 500 people employed in clerical, technical, secretarial, professional, supervisory, or administrative positions in two midwestern manufacturing firms was studied. A significant difference (p < .05) was seen in the mean writing intensity scores between high apprehensives (n = 96) and low apprehensives (n = 91). This finding suggests that where a lack of writing productivity exists in writing-intensive jobs, managers might explore writing apprehension problems, or at least examine the match between levels of apprehension and writing requirements.