Treatments
There is no magical pill for treating PSA as the ad below suggests. In fact, newer research suggests that there is no truly effective method for treating trait PSA. Recent research has shown that a phenomenon called habituation occurs in studies that test treatments in a basic communication course over the semester (a majority of studies do). Habituation occurs when the CA levels of students are lowered due to rising comfort levels speaking to the same group of people over and over (as you would in a speech class). This suggests that treatment may not work-- speakers just get used to the people they are presenting to. However,another interesting phenomenon that research has not yet looked into is that across treatments, those with high trait PSA almost always experience more significant results than those with low trait PSA. No matter the reason for these improvements in CA levels, they are improving but only in the classroom setting for the duration of the class. More research is needed on habituation in PSA treatment to draw any concrete conclusions. Who knows? Perhaps even habituation may become an intensive method of treatment. Also, researching the affects of treatment from academic to nonacademic settings can answer questions about habituation and its role in PSA treatment. Click on the treatment links to find out more about each particular treatment.
Systematic Desensitization
Cognitive Modification
Skills Training
Laughter is the Best Medicine
This website does not endorse the use of Bravina, I just thought it was funny.
This website does not endorse the use of Bravina, I just thought it was funny.
Multiple Treatments
Multiple Treatments Method entails the use of several different methods in combination. This is typically the most effective approach when systematic desensitization is used first and then followed by cognitive modification and skills training. This is not surprising, since those treated reap the benefits of all the individual treatments.
Student Selected
Furthering the effectiveness of multiple treatments method, student selected methods entails the students selecting the methods that they deem best for their individual cases. The power of the student in identifying the main causes of their apprehension and intuition towards what will help them should not be underestimated when selecting treatments. After all, if it weren't for self-report measures, communication apprehension research would not have even come as far as it has. Of course, this is not to say suggestions would not be helpful. However, trust the student to be able to figure out what will help them the most, once they have been made aware of all of their resources and options.
Ethical Standards
Click the above link to learn more about ethical issues in treating PSA