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THE EFFECT OF SYSTEMATIC DESENSITIZATION
ON SPEECHANXIETY
James C. McCroskey,David C. Ralph, and James E. BaITick
NE of the most vexing problems there has been, in the last few years, a
Othat has faced the field of speech- great deal of interest and exploration in
communication since its inception has the application of learning theory via
been the problem of anxiety in the oral behavior therapies to human neuroses
communication situation. ,\"'hile much and anxiety. Reports of brief and com-
is claimed for the basic speech course as plete alleviation of the symptoms, using
an agent for overcoming this problem, Knight's criteria,2 have been appearing
scant evidence is available in the litera- at that time in our society's development
ture to support such claims. On the con- when the exigent problems of mental
trary, evidence obtained by the first au- health require that the professional psy-
thor at Pennsylvania State University chological resources be expanded, either
and Michigan State University indicates by the expansion of training facilities,
that students confronted by serious increasing the proficiency and efficiency
anxiety in oral communication tend to of those involved in psychological ser-
drop out of the basic course. In one term vices, or by the Utilization of trained lay
at Michigan State, for example, over half personnel.
of the students identified as suffering By far the most productive of these
from moderate to severe speech anxiety behavioral techniques seems to be syste-
during the first week of dle term had matic desensitization. The results ob-
dropped the course by the third week of tained with systematic desensitization
the term. 1 No course can help if the stu- have been relatively consistent over an
dent is so anxious that he will not take extremely wide range of therapists,
the course. Thus, even if one were to clients, and problems,3 usually producing
grant the claims of the advocates of the
basic course, a serious problem confront- 2 Robert P. Knight. "Evaluation of the Re-
ing thousands of students (as well as sults of Psychoanalytic Therapy," American
adults) across the country still remains. Journal of PS)'chiatT)', 98 (1941), 434-446.
3 Peter J. Lang, A. David Lazovik, and David
This paper reports the results of a study J. Reynolds, "Desensitization, Suggestibility,
which investigated a method of assisting and Pseudo therapy," Journal of .1.bnor71lal Pry'-
the anxious student to overcome hi:. cholog)', iO (1965), 395-402; Joseph W. Wolpe,
"Isolation of a Conditioning Procedure as the
problem oUtside of the basic course class- Crucial Psychotherapeutic Factor: A Case StUdy,"
room. Journal ot Neroous and J[ental Diseases, 13-!
(1962), 316-329; D. F. Clark, ''Treatment of a
'Within the area of psychotherapy Monosymptomatic Phobia by Systematic De.
sensitization," Beh~vior Research and Therap')',
1 (1963), 63-68; Richard C. Cowden and Leon
Dr. McCroskey is Associate Professor of Speech 1. Ford, "Svstematic Desensitization with Phobia
at Illinois State University, Normal; Dr. Ralph Schizophrenics," American Journal of PS)'chiatry',
is Professor of Communication at Michigan 119 (1962), 241-245; B. Ashem, "The Treatment
State University; Mr. Barrick is a graduate stU- of a Disaster Phobia by Systematic Desensitiza-
dent in Counseling Psvchology at Stanford tion," Behavior Research and Therapj', I (1963),
University. . 81-84; Arnold A. Lazrus, "Group Therapy of
1This data was obtained in the public speak- Phobic Disorders by Systematic Desensitization,"
ing course (Communication 101) at Michigan Leonard P. Ullman and Leonard Krasner
State during the Winter Term, 1968. eds., Case Studies in Behavioral Modification
SYSTEMA TIC DESENSITIZATION AND SPEECH ANXIETY 33
positive results in other areas of the psychology be successfully employed as
client's life.4 trainers in a systematic desensitization
The application of systematic desen- program? .
sitization to less debilitating anxieties Previous Research
than phobias has produced alleviation of
anxiety among nonpathological clients, Of special significance for this study
notably student populations with aca- are those studies focusing on the treat-
demic anxieties." Despite the encourag- ment of anxieties prevalent within the
ing reports from these projects, several academic environment. Paul found sig-
fundamental questions have yet to be an- nificantly' greater reduction in anxiety
swered. Of paramount concern to the for desensitized subjects in an elementary
present study were the questions, Is sys- speech course when compared to similar
tematic desensitization an effective means groups given insight therapy, placebo
of reducing communication apprehen- treatment, or no treaunent.6 Paul and
sion? and Can speech-communication Shannon report success in treating inter-
educators with limited backgrounds in personal performance anxiety in groups
(Xew York: Holt, Rinehart &:Winston. 1965); that equals or excels results with indivi~-.
Norah Moore, "Behavior Therapy in Bronchial ual treatment.; A two year follow-up re~
Asthma: A Controlled Study," Joumal of Psycho- vealed a maintenance of improvement,
somatic Research, 9 (1965).257-276; M. Kushner, with indications of additional improve-
"Desensitization of a Post. Traumatic Phobia," in ment in other areas of behavior over the
Ullman and Krasner; and Arnold A. Lazrus,
"The Treatment of a Sexually Inadequate long-term follow-up period.s Kondas re-
!\fan," in Ullman and Krasner.
4Jack D. Hain, R. H. G. Butcher, and Ian ports reduction of anxiety and stage~
Stevenson, "Systematic Desensitization Therapy: fright by group desensitization, as op-
An Analysis of Twenty-Seven Patients,'. British
Joumal of PsychiatT)', 112 (1966), 295-307; Mar- posed to rela.~tion procedures alone, II
tin Katahn, Stuart Strenger and Nancy Cherry, thereby supporting 'Volpe's contention
"Group Counseling and Behavioral Therapy
with Test.Anxious College Students," Journal of that reciprocal inhibition is the main
Consulting Psychology, 30 (1966), 544.549; Land, basis of therapeutic effects.lO The results
"Densensitization . . ."; D. R. Neuman.Profes-
sional and SubProfesisonal Counselors Using of these studies suggest that systematic.
Group Desensitization and Insight Procedures desensitization when administered by
to Reduce Examination Anxiety, unpublished
doctoral diss., Michigan State University, 1968; trained psychologists is an effective
Gordon L. Paul. Insight vs. Desensiti:ation in means of overcoming anxiety related t.o
Psychotherapy: An Experiment in Anxiety Re-
duction (Stanford: Stanford University Press, speech-communication. However, none
1966); Gordon L. Paul. "Two-Year Follow.up of of these stUdies have employed speech
Systematic Desensitization in Therapy Groups," educators to administer the treatment:
Journal of Abnormal Ps)'chology, 73 (1968).
119.130. Migler and 'Volpe have reported suc-
5Gordon L. Paul. "Insight, . . ." 28: O.
Kondas. "Reduction of Examination Anxiety cess in utilizing automated procedures
and 'Stage. Fright' bv Group Desensitization and for desensitizing speech-anxiety,11 as has
Relaxation," Behavior Research and Thempy,
5 (1967), 275.281; Gordon L. Paul and Donald Lang.12 These results raise questions
T. Shannon, "Treatment of Anxiety Through about the role and relevance of the pro"
Systematic Desensitization in Therapy Groups,"
Journal of Abnormal PS)'chology, 71 (1966), 124-
135; B. Migler and Joseph W. Wolpe. "Auto- 6Paul. "Insight..:'
mated Self. Desensitization: A Case Report," ; Paul and Shannon.
Behavior Research and Therap)', 5 (1964), 133- 8 Paul, "Two.Year..:'
135; P. J. Lang, "Fear Reduction and Fear {IKondas.
Behavior: Problems in Treating a Construct," 10Joseph W. Wolpe, "Reciprocal Inhibition
Third Conference on Research in Psychothera. as the Main Basis of Psychotherapeutic Effects,"
Py (Chicago: June, 1966); J. R. Emery and J.
D. Krumboltz. "Standard vs. Individualized AM.A. Archives of Neurological Psychiatry, i2
Hierarchies in Desensitization to Reduce Test (1954), 205-226.
Anxiety," Journal of Coutl$eling Psych%g)', 11Migler and Wolpe.
14 (1967).204.209; M. Katahn: and Neuman. 12Lang, "Fear..."
THE SPEECH TEACHER
34
fessional psychologist in this setting as do individual to help another is not the sole and
studies reported by Kahn and Baker13 exclusive province of professional helpers.lS
and Davison.14
The use of sub-professional personnel If a target behavior (speech anxiety) can
(non-psychologists) in extending psy- be delineated, the effectiveness of the
chological services has been advocated.15 technique of systematic desensitization,
Most indications, at this point, provide using trained non-professionals, can be
evidence that sub-professionals when empirically assessed. The present study
properly trained, can be at least as effec- attempted such an assessment.
tive as professional personnel. Neuman
found no significant differences in im- Hypotheses
provement scores' between treatment
groups using professional and those using I. Speech anxious students receiving
sub-professional counselors.16 Neuman, systematic desensitization for speech
like Paul17 mentions the relatively short anxiety will indicate a greater re-
time needed in training the counselors. duction in speech anxiety than will
The effectiveness of the sub-professionals, speech anxious students not receiv-
in general, lends further support to the ing systematic desensitization as
advocacy of the use of non-professional measured by self reports.
personnel. Carkhuff contends that: II. There will be no significant differ-
A review of (lay training and treatment) pro. ence in improvement scores for treat-
grams indicates a) that lay persons can be ment groups between professional
trained to function at minimally facilitative and sub-professional trainers.
levels of conditions related to constructive client
change in relatively short periods of time, and Procedures
b) that lay counselors can effect significant
constructive change in clients. An inference that Subject Selection. Subjects were twenty-
we might draw is that whatever allows one four voluntary undergraduate students,
13Michael Kahan and Bruce Baker "Desensi. twelve males and twelve females, from
tization with Minimal Therapist Contact," the basic public speaking course at Mich-
Journal of Abnormal Psycholog;y, 73 (1968), 198- igan State University. The first class day
200. of the term all students in the basic
14Gerald Davison, "Systematic Desensitization
as a Counter-Conditioning Process," Journal of public speaking course were instructed to
Abnormal PS}'cholog;y, 73 (1968), 91-99. fill out the Paul version of the PRCS.19
15Robert R. Carkhuff and Charles B. Truaz,
"Lay Mental Health Counseling: The Effects While the students were participating in
of Lay Group Counseling," Journal of Consulting their first class session, the PRCS's were
Psycholog;y, 29 (1965), 426.431; Margaret J.
Rioch, "Changing Concepts in the Training of hand scored in an adjoining room. Those
Therapists," Journal of Consulting PS}'chol°f!;),'
30 (1965), 290.292: F. Kaufer, "Implications of students marking sixteen or more of a
Conditioning Techniques for Interview Thera- possible thirty responses indicating
py," Journal of Counseling Psycholog;y, 13 (1966),
171-1i7; Ernest G. Poser, "The Effects of Thera- speech anxiety were called out of the class
pists Training on Group Therapeuric Outcome," during the last five minutes. They were
Journal of Consulting Psycholog;y, 30 (1966),
283.289; Donald H. Ford and Hugh B. Urban, told that they had scored within the
"Psvchotherapy," Annual Review of Psycholog')', range indicating that speech anxiety was
(Palo Alto: Annual Reviews, 1967), 333-372; N.
Schlossberg, "Sub-professionals: to be or not to of concern to them, given the rationale
be," Counselor Education and Supervision, 6 for the systematic desensitization treat-
(1967), 108.113; R. R. Carkhuff, "Differential
Functioning of Lav and Professional Helpers," ment and asked to volunteer for the proj-
Journal of Counseling Ps)'cholog;y, 15 (1968),
117-126: and Neuman.
111Neuman. IS Carkhuff.
17Paul. "Insight. . :. 19Paul, "Insight. . ."
SYSTEMATIC DESENSITIZATION AND SPEECH ANXIETY 35
ect. The volunteer subjects signed a sheet ers on the contingency that no speech
indicating their desire for treatment and trainer would treat a subject enrolled in
the time available for treatment. Selec- any class he taught.
tion was based on a random assignment Measures. The measures employed
for those subjects with similar specified were the speech situation of the S-R In-
times available for treatment in groups ventory of Anxiousness (S-R-I),2Oa re-
of five. Those subjects not given treat- vision of the Text Anxiety Inventory21
ment were placed in a delayed treatment in which speech sitUations were substi-
control group and informed that they tuted for testing situations (SAI), and
would receive treatment at a later dat~. the Paul version of the Personal Report
Treatment was started at the beginning of Confidence as a Speaker (PRCS).22
of the second week of classes. Treatment. Treatment consisted of
Selection of Trainen 'With the excep- seven one-hour sessions, two per week for
tion of the third author, a graduate three and one-half weeks, of systematic
student in the counseling department of desensitization for the three experimen-
the College of Education experienced in tal groups composed of a maximum of
systematic desensitization procedures, five subjects per group. The first session
trainers were from the Speech Depart- was used to explain the rationale and
ment (two graduate students). Each the procedures of systematic desensitiza-
trainer was provided short, intensive tion and the playing of an aural tape
training prior to assignment to a group. recording of deep muscular relaxation
The training consisted of selected read- instructions. The remaining six sessions
ings on systematic desensitization, a were devoted to playing the relaxation
video-taped presentation of a desensitiza- tape, until all subjects reported being
tion session, an aural-taped presentation relaxed, and the presentation of the
of the deep muscular relaxation exercises, items of the speech anxiety hierarchy.
and a group meeting during which the Communication of perceived anxiety by
rationale for the treatment and the pro- any subject for any item was transmitted
cedures to be used were provided and to the trainer by the raising of the sub-
discussed. Assignment to groups was de. ject's right index finger, at which time
pendent on the trainer's schedule, each the trainer issued instructions to all sub~
trainer taking one group. In addition the jects to erase the image and concentrate
actual treatment sessions were contin- on relaxation. After a brief pause, the
ually monitored, by the authors, through trainer again presented the same item.
a one way mirror, to provide each train- The criterion for successfully overcom-
er with a critique of each session, provid- ing an item was two consecutive presen-
ing feedback. on his performance and in- tations (the first for fifteen seconds, the
suring that proper treatment procedures second for thirty seconds) without an
were followed. anxiety response from any subject. The
A Vega cordless microphone-transmit- trainer then presented the next item on
ter was used to transmit feedback directly the speech-anxiety hierarchy, continuing
to the trainer while the treatment group through the hierarchy until it was com-
was in session, the trainer having an in- pleted. The completion of any session
conspicuous earphone connected to the
Vega receiver in the treatment room. 20Norman S. Endler. J. MeV. Hunt, and Alvin
Immediate oral feedback was found to J. Rosenstein, "An S-R Inventory of Anxious-
ness," Psychological MonograPhs, 76 (1962). I7
be unnecessary after the first three ses- (Whole n. 536). 1-33.
sions. All groups were assigned to train- 21Emery and Krumbolrz.
22 Paul, "Insight. . ."
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