Introduction to Public Speaking Anxiety
Public speaking is a typical source of hysteria for many individuals. The fear of speaking in front of an audience could be overwhelming, causing some individuals to avoid it altogether. However, a brand new online platform is aiming to alter this by providing a secure and accessible space for people to practice public speaking.
The Virtual Reality Public Speaking Platform
The platform, created by Dr. Chris Macdonald, the founding father of the Immersive Technology Lab at Cambridge University, uses virtual reality (VR) to simulate real-life public speaking scenarios. Users can practice speaking in front of virtual audiences, starting from a small group of individuals to a big stadium of 10,000 spectators. The platform also includes features corresponding to respiration exercises and eye movements to assist decelerate the center rate and reduce anxiety.
How the Platform Works
The platform employs exposure therapy, which involves step by step exposing individuals to their fears in a controlled environment. In this case, users are exposed to virtual public speaking scenarios that simulate real-life situations. The platform also includes "overexposure therapy," which involves exposing users to extreme scenarios, corresponding to a loud and distracting audience, to assist construct resilience and adaptableness.
Benefits of the Platform
A recent study published by Dr. Macdonald found that the platform was helpful in reducing public speaking anxiety in adolescents. The study involved 29 participants who used the platform for half-hour after which delivered a prepared speech in front of an actual audience. The results showed that the share of participants who reported feeling anxious decreased from 65% to twenty%, while the share of participants who reported feeling confident increased from 31% to 79%.
Expert Opinions
Dr. Matteo Cella, a psychologist at King’s College London, noted that the platform built on traditional exposure therapy concepts, making it more accessible and simple to implement. However, he also cautioned that more research was needed to guage the platform’s efficacy and potential risks. Dr. Kim Smallman of Cardiff University also emphasized the necessity for further evaluation, stating that it was crucial to evaluate the platform’s real-world impact and potential unintended effects.
Conclusion
The Virtual Reality Public Speaking Platform offers a promising solution for people who struggle with public speaking anxiety. By providing a secure and accessible space for practice, the platform may help construct confidence and reduce anxiety. While more research is required to completely evaluate the platform’s efficacy, the initial results are encouraging. With further development and evaluation, this platform has the potential to make a big impact on the lives of people who struggle with public speaking anxiety.
