Identifier

9

Date

2013

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Major

Psychology

Concentration

Literature

Committee Chair

J. Gayle Beck

Committee Member

Frank Shaffer

Committee Member

Meghan Cody

Abstract

Music performance anxiety (MPA) is a debilitating and highly prevalent problem for musicians. MPA has been conceptualized as a subtype of social anxiety disorder, and also as a discrete focal anxiety with normal functioning outside of specific music performance situations. In this study, 130 professional musicians were assessed concerning self-reported MPA in three different settings (solo performance, group performance, and practice) using the Performance Anxiety Questionnaire and various other social anxiety measures. Results showed that MPA was significantly related to performance setting, as anxiety increased significantly from practice to group to solo settings. Social anxiety was assessed regarding social interaction anxiety (SIAS), social performance anxiety (SPS), fear of negative evaluation (BFNE), and positive and negative self-statements during public speaking (SSPS). Multiple regression analyses were conducted for each of the three performance settings, predicting MPA from social anxiety. The social anxiety model significantly predicted MPA in each performance setting, with the strongest prediction in solo settings. In practice and group settings, the BFNE and the SPS uniquely predicted MPA. In solo settings, the BFNE predicted MPA, and the positive SSPS inversely predicted MPA. These results highlight the fear of negative evaluation as a core component of MPA. Based on these findings, the relationship between MPA among various performance contexts and social evaluative anxieties are discussed.

Comments

Undergraduate Honor's Thesis

Library Comment

Honors thesis originally submitted to the Local University of Memphis Honor’s Thesis Repository.

Notes

Data is provided by the student.

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