Exploring Fear of Public Speaking Using Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Haryana Mohd Hairi, Nurazlina Samsudin, Norhalida Othman, Nina Diana Nawi and Saktioto
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Haryana Mohd Hairi: Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Johor Branch, Pasir Gudang Campus, Johor, Malaysia.
Nurazlina Samsudin: Faculty of Business Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
Norhalida Othman: Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Johor Branch, Pasir Gudang Campus, Johor, Malaysia.
Nina Diana Nawi: Department Innovative Science and Mathematics Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences & Technology (FEST), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
Saktioto: Department of Physics, Universitas Riau, Pekanbaru, 28293, Indonesia.

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2025, vol. 9, issue 9, 2467-2479

Abstract: Public speaking anxiety (PSA) remains a critical barrier to students’ academic and professional growth. This quantitative cross-sectional study explores PSA through the lens of self-fulfilling prophecy involving 212 undergraduate students from a public university in Malaysia across science and social science disciplines was conducted using a validated 17-item Likert-scale instrument adapted from Merton’s theory and Bartholomay & Houlihan’s constructs. Findings revealed moderate to high levels of anxiety across cognitive, behavioral, and physiological domains. Statistical analysis showed strong positive correlations between belief and behavior (r = .756), behavior and outcome (r = .803), and outcome and belief (r = .733). These results confirm the cyclical nature of PSA and the reinforcing power of negative expectations. Distinct from previous studies, this research integrates belief–behavior–outcome relationships into a single model and highlights the need for cognitive-behavioral interventions in public speaking curricula. Findings underscore the role of internal beliefs in sustaining PSA and provide practical implications for educators to incorporate belief-management techniques into communication training.

Date: 2025
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