Using brief habit reversal and an interdependent group contingency to reduce public-speaking speech disfluencies

Abstract

This study replicated and extended previous research on the effectiveness of brief habit reversal, consisting of awareness training and competing response training (silent pause) in reducing the rate of speech disfluencies during public speaking. Nine university students, divided into 3 groups, delivered short speeches on a novel topic. Brief habit reversal combined with an interdependent group contingency resulted in a meaningful reduction in speech disfluencies with only 1 group requiring booster sessions. Relative to baseline, competing responses increased for all participants but only remained high for 1 participant following training. Reductions in speech disfluencies maintained during follow-up when participants presented in front of a small audience.

Keywords: awareness training; brief habit reversal; competing response training; interdependent group contingencies; public speaking.