Affect Intensity and Sensitivity to Punishment as Predictors of Sensitization (Arousal) During Public Speaking

Recent studies of state anxiety patterns show that sensitization during the first minute of speech performance affects a substantial number of novice speakers. Because sensitization delays or obstructs adaptation to public speaking, thereby impeding skills acquisition, understanding the basic mechanisms underlying sensitization should be of interest to communication scholars. In the present study, Gray’s (1991 Gray, J. A. 1991. “Neural systems of motivation, emotion, and affect”. In Neurobiology of learning, emotion, and affect, Edited by: Madden, J. 273–306. New York: Raven Press. [Google Scholar]) reinforcement sensitivity theory is examined as an explanation for this phenomenon. Specifically, sensitivity to punishment and affect intensity were found to predict sensitization during the initial minute of public speaking. The resulting regression equation explained 60.7% of the variance in sensitization during public speaking. Implications for the study of anxiety reduction and potential pedagogical applications for these findings are discussed.