They’re Monstrous! Teaching Flashed Face Distortion To Improve Speaking Apprehension

Abstract

Researchers have long established that people who believe they are attractive have higher self-esteem (Aronson & Linder, 1965). Recent studies show that students with higher self-esteem have less speaking apprehension (Elfering & Grebner, 2012). Teachers in higher education can help students rethink their attractiveness in an attempt to help boost their self-esteem through an in-class activity that demonstrates Flashed Face Distortion Effect. This improved self-appraisal can reduce speaking apprehension in any class that includes a public presentation element. This interpretive qualitative research presents a novel single-class activity that can be useful in any course that includes a public presentation element. The objective of the activity is to lower student speaking apprehension when they publically present.