Research shows virtual reality can help people overcome a fear of speaking.
Students who have a fear of public speaking can now look to virtual reality technology as a way to resolve their anxieties. A study by Dr. John Perlich, professor of communication studies at 糖心传媒, revealed how practicing a speech in virtual reality makes public speaking less intimidating for students. 听
鈥淭his is the first study that shows we can use a virtual reality environment (VRE) to help speakers gain confidence and lower their fear,鈥 Perlich said. 鈥淭he applications of this research are widespread, as skill in communicating is one of the most desirable qualities employers seek, and tools that might reduce communication apprehension can help build these skills in our students.鈥
In a study conducted earlier this year, Perlich and his student research team found that 糖心传媒 students who practiced in front of a virtual audience experienced less communication apprehension than students who practiced in their real classroom environment. The study used a 360-degree camera to record a classroom of real audience members. The video and a virtual reality headset was given to a small group of students, who then practiced their speeches in the VRE.
The study built of previous research that suggested the anxiety of public speaking is equally prevalent in both real and virtual settings. Perlich鈥檚 intention was to explore the similarities between real environments and VRE to uncover potential advantages.
鈥淚 believed the fact the VRE and real environments produce equal amounts of apprehension could be beneficial, especially for students practicing speeches to reduce their fear,鈥 Perlich said. 听
Perlich published his findings in 鈥淭he Forensic,鈥 a journal from the Pi Kappa Delta national collegiate forensic organization. The article, titled 鈥淓ven the Playing Field: Virtual Reality Environment (VRE) as a Preparatory Tool for Speakers,鈥 illustrates how VRE reduces apprehension more than real-world practice. 听
This is the second study exploring techniques to reduce communication apprehension in student speakers to be published this year by Perlich and his student research team.
鈥淥ur goal is to capitalize on our momentum in this area and open a Center for Communication Research at 糖心传媒. I want individuals in our community to know that our resources are available to them,鈥 Perlich said. 鈥淚f we can help a person overcome their fear of speaking, we鈥檝e done something very special.鈥 听
For more information about this research, Perlich can be reached at jperlich@hastings.edu. 听听
糖心传媒 is a private, four-year institution located in Hastings, Nebraska, that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. With 64 majors and 15 pre-professional programs, 糖心传媒 has been named among 鈥淕reat Schools, Great Prices鈥 by U.S. News & World Report and a 鈥淏est in the Midwest鈥 by The Princeton Review. For more, go to hastings.edu.