Virtual reality with distractors to overcome public speaking anxiety in university students

 Emma Rodero, Barcelona (Spain)

 Olatz Larrea, Barcelona (Spain)

https://doi.org/10.3916/C72-2022-07

Keywords

Virtual reality, public speaking, anxiety, education, communication, university students

Abstract

The ability to communicate effectively is a crucial aspect of education. For college students, learning how to speak in public is essential for their academic and professional future. However, many students report fear of speaking in public, the so-called Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA). This study aims to implement a training program using Virtual Reality (VR) with distractors to reduce the college students' anxiety. Anxiety was measured with two methods: electrodermal activity and self-report. We also analyze gender differences. There were an experimental and a control group. Both groups had to deliver the same speech twice: pre-test (before training); and post-test (after the training program) while participants’ electrodermal activity was measured. Only the experimental group was trained with VR. Students also completed the Public Speaking Anxiety Scale and a survey to examine their experience. The results showed that the VR training reduced the anxiety levels significantly in the experimental group, but there were no significant differences in the control group. The data also revealed a higher level of anxiety in male than in female students. Finally, participants reported a positive impression of the VR training. These results showed the effectiveness of Virtual Reality software with distractors to reduce public speaking anxiety.

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Fundref

This project has been funded by the Universitat Pompeu Fabra of Barcelona (Spain). Thanks to Psious for giving us access to the software to use in this study.

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Technical information

Received: 20-12-2021

Revised: 24-01-2022

Accepted: 02-03-2022

OnlineFirst: 15-05-2022

Publication date: 01-07-2022

Article revision time: 35 days | Average time revision issue 72: 31 days

Article acceptance time: 72 days | Average time of acceptance issue 72: 75 days

Preprint editing time: 148 days | Average editing time preprint issue 72: 151 days

Article editing time: 193 days | Average editing time issue 72: 196 days

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