Reduction in public speaking state anxiety during performance as a function of sensitization processes

Mild-to-moderate schizotypal traits relate to physiological arousal from social stress

“…HR is highest at the confrontation stage (Sawyer & Behnke, 2002). The Cognitive-Perceptual, Interpersonal and Disorganisation dimensions of the SPQ related to greater HR at the confrontation stage of the discussion.…”

“…Hence, schizotypy may affect social stress in close social interaction more than performance situations. Social interactions, such as delivering a public speech, have anticipation (the minute before the interaction), confrontation (first minute) and adaptation stages (last minute) (Sawyer & Behnke, 2002). Having higher HR during the discussion in the high schizotypal traits group would suggest that people with high schizotypal traits have difficulty acclimatising to a close interaction with strangers.…”

“…Furthermore, HR and SCR were higher at the confrontation stage (0-30 s) than at the adaptation stage (121-150 s) of the discussion task. HR is highest at the confrontation stage of social situations because people habituate to the social stressor following sensitization (Sawyer & Behnke, 2002). The lower physiological arousal during the discussion than the public speech and the time signature of the change in physiological arousal suggest that the discussion is a suitable control task.…”

A Racing Heart, Rattling Knees, and Ruminative Thoughts: Defining, Explaining, and Treating Public Speaking Anxiety

“…Sensitization refers to a pattern of psychological state anxiety whereby threat is greater than anticipated causing an increase in felt anxiety from anticipation to confrontation (see Figure 3). Sawyer and Behnke (2002) reported strong negative correlations between habituation and sensitization using both physiological equipment (r0(.83) and self-report methodology (r 0(.71; see also Roberts et al, 2005). Other research has found the likelihood of exhibiting a pattern of sensitization is greater for individuals with higher anxiety sensitivity (Behnke & Sawyer, 2001a; Study 2) and individuals with high cognitive trait PSA .…”

Worry as a function of public speaking state anxiety type

“…Specifically, most speakers become progressively more comfortable while presenting public speeches, a process called habituation (Rachman & Levitt, 1988). However, for a substantial number of individuals, the first moment of speaking elevates their anxiety for much if not all of the speaking situation, creating a sensitization effect (Sawyer & Behnke, 2002) that forestalls normal functioning in speaking situations. One explanation for these different patterns in adaptation is that worrying during performance disrupts the processing of stimuli thereby contributing to sensitization.…”