Vividness and control: Factors in the effectiveness of performance visualization?

Performance visualization training was developed specifically for the treat ment of public speaking apprehension and centers around people's ability to create and manipulate images of themselves as public speakers. The present study compared the effects of imagery control and vividness, separately an d in combination, on self-report measures of public speaking apprehension ( PSA), state communication apprehension (CA), negative thinking, and behavio ral disruption. Imagery control and vividness mere linked to reductions in PSA, state CA, negative thinking, and behavioral disruption. Consequently, it was recommended that people be screened vis a vis their ability to creat e and control images prior to exposure to performance visualization.