Causes
There is currently a debate of epic proportions between researchers and the causes of PSA. Some believe it is caused by environmental factors (nurture), others believe it is causes by genetic/biological factors (nature). Yet another, and fairly recent approach at that, aims to explain the causes of PSA being due to both nature and nurture. Read on to learn more.
Nurture
The earliest research in PSA sought to explain its origins as a learned behavior. In summary of this perspective, the looking-glass self is formed through social interaction. This means that the kinds of communication you experience in your family and the language culture you grow up in will affect the individual you develop into. According to the majority of research, persons with highly apprehensive backgrounds come from those who qualify them as at-risk and marginalized groups. These individuals grow up in an environment that tells them they are not good enough because of their background. As a result, these individuals develop low self esteem and poor self-perceived competence. They become self-conscious that their language culture is different than that of the "proper English" that is perceived by American culture to be the standard of professionalism. These feelings of incompetence and unworthiness cause them mild to extreme anxiety when speaking or communicating in general.
Nature
Later research proposed that some individuals might be born with the tendency to be more apprehensive than others. Some studies on pre to post natal development confirm this. Studies on perfectionism confirm this as well. As time has progressed, more and more research (including brain research) has pointed towards the nature perspective as the root cause of PSA. Researchers argue that nature comes before nurture, and so is more likely to cause PSA. It is also argued that temperament is a result of genetics, which has been linked to PSA.
Brain Model <----- Learn more about how brain functioning affects PSA
Perfectionism
Second Language
Sex
Brain Model <----- Learn more about how brain functioning affects PSA
Perfectionism
Second Language
Sex
Hybrid Perspectives
This is a fairly new perspective as it was proposed in 2000 and there is still limited research on this topic. Perhaps this is because the tradition of arguing nature vs. nurture is so deeply ingrained into researchers. However, this perspective provides an intriguing argument. Put quite simply, this perspective seeks to explain that PSA can be caused by both nature and nurture simultaneously in a combination. Nature and nurture cannot exist without each other because comparing the two is like comparing apples to oranges: each has its own necessary function to human existence. Humans cannot live, grow, and reproduce without biology but they could not survive without social interaction either. Recall the baby studies done during WWII. Such a study was unethical and tragic and will hopefully never be repeated again, but it taught us that without nurture, humans cannot survive. Therefore, nature and nurture are likely both contributors to the likelihood that an individual will have PSA. Hopefully, in the future researchers will seek to examine this theoretical framework to a greater extent.