Understanding communication apprehension and writing apprehension in agricultural communications students: A national study
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Communication apprehension (CA) and writing apprehension (WA) pertain to ones’ fear, anxiety, or avoidance pertaining to oral or written communications (Daly & Miller, 1975a; McCroskey, 1977). Social cognitive theory and the concept of self-efficacy were utilized as theoretical frameworks for this study. Specifically, no studies have been found that explore CA or WA in agricultural communications students. Thus, the purposes of this mixed methods study were two-fold. One purpose of this study was to strengthen the knowledge base by clarifying what is known and not know about CA and WA in the discipline of agricultural communications. The second purpose was to generate new ideas by uncovering relationships between CA or WA and demographic variables. The quantitative results indicated that agricultural communications students are not very apprehensive when communicating through verbal and written means. Of the two, they are much less apprehensive about writing than speaking. Participants from the qualitative phase believe that agricultural communications instructors set up an environment that is conducive to changing behavior especially due to the small class size, one-on-one instructor/student relationships, and hands-on activities in the classroom. However, suggestions were provided to include more workshops and for instructors to grade hard on assignments and provide more feedback.
Author: Chelsey Ann Ahrens
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2280566445