Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of audience familiarity on anxiety in a virtual reality public speaking training tool

  • Long Paper
  • Published:
Universal Access in the Information Society Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Public speaking is an essential skill in everyone’s professional or academic career. Nevertheless, practicing it is often not very easy; people do not always have access to a suitable environment and find others willing to listen during their rehearsals. Previous research has shown the usefulness of having a virtual audience in reducing the fear of public speaking. However, the effects of having an audience with whom the presenter is familiar are still under-explored. To help university students practice their presentations, we developed a virtual reality environment and used 3D scans of real people to create a realistic and familiar audience. We conducted a study with 10 participants to analyze whether they had different anxiety levels when presenting to familiar virtual faces compared to unfamiliar faces. Moreover, we explored whether or not the exposure to the customized virtual faces affected anxiety when the participants subsequently presented to a real-life audience. We found that people with a medium fear of speaking in public benefited the most because they felt more relaxed facing a virtual audience with familiar faces; in contrast, there were no noticeable effects for others. In addition, we examined whether anxiety could be detected through some non-traditional metrics we recorded. Results showed that we could not establish a linear correlation between the anxiety scores and our metrics, but our study suggests some underlying patterns. Finally, our findings indicate that users’ perceptions of virtual audience feedback were more concerned with the facial expressions of the virtual audience than their body language.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availibility statement

Data associated with this research can be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.

References

  1. Arbona, C.B.: (n.d.). Universitat jaume i. Evaluation, 6 , 2011–2016

  2. Badrasawi, K.J., Solihu, A., Ahmad, T.B.T.: Second language speaking anxiety among Malaysian postgraduate students at a faculty of education. Int. J. Educ. Lit. Stud. 8(2), 54–61 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Barmaki, R.: Improving social communication skills using kinesics feedback. In: Proceedings of the 2016 Chi Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 86–91 (2016)

  4. Boulton, A., Vyatkina, N.: Thirty years of data-driven learning: taking stock and charting new directions over time. Lang. Learn. Technol. 25(3), 66–89 (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Chahrazad, M.-M., Kamel, K.: Dealing with foreign language speaking anxiety: what every language teacher should know. Train. Lang. Cult. 6(1), 20–32 (2022)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Chen, L., Leong, C.W., Feng, G., Lee, C.M., Somasundaran, S.: Utilizing multimodal cues to automatically evaluate public speaking performance. In: 2015 International Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction (acii), pp. 394–400 (2015)

  7. Cheng, A., Yang, L., Andersen, E.: Teaching language and culture with a virtual reality game. In: Proceedings of the 2017 Chi Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 541–549 (2017)

  8. Dwyer, K.K., Davidson, M.M.: Is public speaking really more feared than death? Commun. Res. Rep. 29(2), 99–107 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Felnhofer, A., Kothgassner, O.D., Hetterle, T., Beutl, L., Hlavacs, H., Kryspin- Exner, I.: Afraid to be there? Evaluating the relation between presence, self-reported anxiety, and heart rate in a virtual public speaking task. Cyberpsychol. Behav. Soc. Netw. 17(5), 310–316 (2014)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Frädrich, L., Nunnari, F., Staudte, M., Heloir, A.: (simulated) listener gaze in real-time spoken interaction. Comput. Anim. Virtual Worlds 29(3–4), e1831 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Gaibani, A., Elmenfi, F.: The role of gender in influencing public speaking anxiety (2014)

  12. Groth, C., Tauscher, J.-P., Castillo, S., Magnor, M.: Altering the conveyed facial emotion through automatic reenactment of video portraits. In: International Conference on Computer Animation and Social Agents, pp.128–135 (2020)

  13. Gruber, A., Kaplan-Rakowski, R.: User experience of public speaking practice in virtual reality. In: Cognitive and Affective Perspectives on Immersive Technology in Education, pp. 235–249. IGI Global (2020)

  14. Gurbuz, C., Cabaroglu, N.: Efl students’ perceptions of oral presentations: implications for motivation, language ability and speech anxiety. J. Lang. Linguist. Stud. 17(1), 600–614 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Hans, A., Hans, E.: Kinesics, haptics and proxemics: aspects of nonverbal communication. IOSR J. Humanit. Soc. Sci. (IOSR-JHSS) 20(2), 47–52 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Harris, S.R., Kemmerling, R.L., North, M.M.: Brief virtual reality therapy for public speaking anxiety. Cyberpsychol. Behav. 5(6), 543–550 (2002)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Hook, J.N., Smith, C.A., Valentiner, D.P.: A short-form of the personal report of confidence as a speaker. Personal. Individ. Differ. 44(6), 1306–1313 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Hsieh, W.-M., Chen, C.-C., Wang, S.-C., Tan, S.-Y., Hwang, Y.-S., Chen, S.-C., Chen, Y.-L.: Virtual reality system based on kinect for the elderly in fall prevention. Technol. Health Care 22(1), 27–36 (2014)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Kalra, R., Siribud, S.: Public speaking anxiety in the Thai EFL context. LEARN J. Lang. Educ. Acquis. Res. Netw. 13(1), 195–209 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Kolligian, J., Jr., Sternberg, R.J.: Perceived fraudulence in young adults: Is there an’imposter syndrome’? J. Pers. Assess. 56(2), 308–326 (1991)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Kiyak, E.V.E.: The effects of flipped speaking lessons on students’ English speaking anxiety: the case of 5th grade students. Int. J. Lang. Acad. 9(3), 351–364 (2021)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  22. Lackey, S.J., Badillo-Urquiola, K.A., Ortiz, E.C., Hudson, I.L.: A process for developing accurate kinesic cues in virtual environments. In: Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (2014)

  23. Lee, H., Kim, H., Monteiro, D.V., Goh, Y., Han, D., Liang, H.-N., Jung, J.: Annotation vs. virtual tutor: comparative analysis on the effectiveness of visual instructions in immersive virtual reality. In: 2019 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR), pp. 318–327 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1109/ISMAR.2019.00030

  24. Lim, M.H., Aryadoust, V., Esposito, G.: A meta-analysis of the effect of virtual reality on reducing public speaking anxiety. Curr. Psychol. 1–17 (2022)

  25. Linardopoulos, N.: Teaching and learning public speaking online. MERLOT J. Online Learn. Teach. 6(1), 198–209 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Lister, H.A., Piercey, C.D., Joordens, C.: The effectiveness of 3-d video virtual reality for the treatment of fear of public speaking. J. CyberTher. Rehabil. 3(4), 375–381 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Marinho, A.C.F., Medeiros, A.M.D., Lima, E.D.P., Pantuza, J.J., Teixeira, L.C.: Prevalence and factors associated with fear of public speaking. Codas, vol. 31 (2019)

  28. Monteiro, D., Liang, H.-N., Abel, A., Bahaei, N., Monteiro, R.D.C.: Evaluating engagement of virtual reality games based on first and third person perspective using eeg and subjective metrics. In: 2018 IEEE International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality (AIVR), pp. 53–60 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1109/AIVR.2018.00015

  29. Monteiro, D., Liang, H.-N., Li, H., Fu, Y., Wang, X.W.: Evaluating the need and effect of an audience in a virtual reality presentation training tool. In: Computer Animation and Social Agents, pp. 62–70 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63426-17

  30. Monteiro, D., Liang, H.-N., Wang, J., Wang, L., Wang, X., Yue, Y.: Evaluating the effects of a cartoon-like character with emotions on users’ behaviour within virtual reality environments. In: 2018 IEEE International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality (AIVR), pp. 229–236 (2018)

  31. Monteiro, D., Wang, J., Liang, H.-N., Baghaei, N., Abel, A.: Swarmotion: a 3d point cloud video recording tool for classification purposes. In: Advanced Multimedia and Ubiquitous Engineering, pp. 190–195. Springer (2019)

  32. Mori, M., MacDorman, K.F., Kageki, N.: The uncanny valley [from the field]. IEEE Robot. Autom. Mag. 19, 98–100 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Mostajeran, F., Balci, M.B., Steinicke, F., Kühn, S., Gallinat, J.: The effects of virtual audience size on social anxiety during public speaking. In: 2020 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR), pp. 303–312 (2020)

  34. Pack, A., Barrett, A., Liang, H.-N., Monteiro, D.V.: University EAP students’ perceptions of using a prototype virtual reality learning environment to learn writing structure. Int. J. Comput.-Assist. Lang. Learn. Teach. (IJCALLT) 10(1), 27–46 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Pisan, Y., Marin, J.G., Navarro, K.F.: Improving lives: using microsoft kinect to predict the loss of balance for elderly users under cognitive load. In: Proceedings of the 9th Australasian Conference on Interactive Entertainment: Matters of Life and Death, pp. 1–4 (2013)

  36. Poeschl, S.: Virtual reality training for public speaking-a QUEST-VR framework validation. Front. ICT 4, 13 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Poeschl, S., Doering, N.: Virtual training for fear of public speaking- design of an audience for immersive virtual environments. In: 2012 IEEE Virtual Reality Workshops (VRW), pp. 101–102 (2012)

  38. Raja, F.U.: Anxiety level in students of public speaking: causes and remedies. J. Educ. Educ. Dev. 4(1), 94–110 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Saenz-de Urturi, Z., Garcia-Zapirain Soto, B.: Kinect-based virtual game for the elderly that detects incorrect body postures in real time. Sensors 16(5), 704 (2016)

    Article  ADS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  40. Schlösser, T., Dunning, D., Johnson, K.L., Kruger, J.: How unaware are the unskilled? Empirical tests of the “signal extraction’’ counterexplanation for the dunning-Kruger effect in self-evaluation of performance. J. Econ. Psychol. 39, 85–100 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Selzer, M.N., Gazcon, N.F., Larrea, M.L.: Effects of virtual presence and learning outcome using low-end virtual reality systems. Displays 59, 9–15 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Shih, R.-C.: Blended learning using video-based blogs: public speaking for English as a second language students. Aust. J. Educ. Technol. 26(6), 883–897 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Slater, M., Pertaub, D.-P., Barker, C., Clark, D.M.: An experimental study on fear of public speaking using a virtual environment. CyberPsychol. Behav. 9(5), 627–633 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Slater, M., Pertaub, D.-P., Steed, A.: Public speaking in virtual reality: facing an audience of avatars. IEEE Comput. Graph. Appl. 19(2), 6–9 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Stupar-Rutenfrans, S., Ketelaars, L.E., van Gisbergen, M.S.: Beat the fear of public speaking: mobile 360 video virtual reality exposure training in home environment reduces public speaking anxiety. Cyberpsychol. Behav. Soc. Netw. 20(10), 624–633 (2017)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Sue, D., Ray, P., Talaei-Khoei, A., Jonnagaddala, J., Vichitvanichphong, S.: Assessing video games to improve driving skills: a literature review and observational study. JMIR Serious Games 2(2), e3274 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Villani, D., Repetto, C., Cipresso, P., Riva, G.: May i experience more presence in doing the same thing in virtual reality than in reality? An answer from a simulated job interview. Interact. Comput. 24(4), 265–272 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Wang, A.: Using second life in an English course: how does the technology affect participation? Int. J. Comput.-Assist. Lang. Learn. Teach. (IJCALLT) 7(1), 66–85 (2017)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  49. Wang, L., Huang, M., Yang, R., Liang, H.-N., Han, J., Sun, Y.: Survey of movement reproduction in immersive virtual rehabilitation. IEEE Trans. Vis. Comput. Graph. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1109/TVCG.2022.3142198

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  50. Xu, W., Liang, H.-N., Baghaei, N., Wu Berberich, B., Yue, Y.: Health benefits of digital videogames for the aging population: a systematic review. Games Health J. 9(6), 389–404 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1089/g4h.2019.0130

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Xu, W., Liang, H.-N., Yu, K., Baghaei, N.: Effect of gameplay uncertainty, display type, and age on virtual reality exergames. In: Proceedings of the 2021 Chi Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (2021). https://doi.org/10.1145/3411764.3445801

  52. Xu, W., Liang, H.-N., Zhang, Z., Baghaei, N.: Studying the effect of display type and viewing perspective on user experience in virtual reality exergames. Games Health J. 9(6), 405–414 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1089/g4h.2019.0102

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank the participants for their time and the reviewers for their insightful comments and suggestions that helped improve our paper.

Funding

This research was partially supported by Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s Key Program Special Fund (#KSF-A-03), Teaching Development Fund (#TDF17/18-R15-103, #TDF17/18-R15-103, #TDF21/22-R23-163), and Research Development Fund (#RDF-17-01-54).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Digital Engineering School, ESIEA, Laval, France

    Diego Monteiro

  2. English Language Centre, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China

    Airong Wang

  3. Department of Computing, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China

    Luhan Wang, Hongji Li & Hai-Ning Liang

  4. Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA

    Alex Barrett

  5. Faculty of Education and Social Work, Brigham Young University Hawaii, La’ie, Hawaii, USA

    Austin Pack

Authors
  1. Diego Monteiro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Airong Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Luhan Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hongji Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Alex Barrett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Austin Pack
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Hai-Ning Liang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors contributed to this research.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hai-Ning Liang.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that this research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Monteiro, D., Wang, A., Wang, L. et al. Effects of audience familiarity on anxiety in a virtual reality public speaking training tool. Univ Access Inf Soc 23, 23–34 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-023-00985-0

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-023-00985-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation