Self-Report as an Approach to Measuring Communication Competence

Self-report measures of perceived communication competence used properly can help build understanding of communication behavior, but used as indications of communication performance can only retard such efforts. Not all uses of such instruments are either legitimate or appropriate--for example, usin...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors McCroskey, James C, McCroskey, Linda L
Format Report
LanguageEnglish
Published 01.04.1986
Subjects
Communication Competencies
Communication Research
Communication Skills
Interpersonal Communication
Public Speaking
Self Concept
Self Evaluation (Individuals)
Self Report Measures
Test Reliability
Test Validity
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Summary:Self-report measures of perceived communication competence used properly can help build understanding of communication behavior, but used as indications of communication performance can only retard such efforts. Not all uses of such instruments are either legitimate or appropriate--for example, using self-report measures to determine an individual's actual communication competence. None of the scales currently used to measure perceptions is appropriate because none asks the subjects to estimate their perceived competence level, each is based on differing definitions of communication competence resulting in dissimilar items on the measures, and most are restricted to either an interpersonal or a public speaking context. In an ongoing research program related to willingness to communicate, it was found that no appropriate measure of self-perceived competence was available. Consequently, the Self-Perceived Communication Competence (SPCC) scale was developed. The SPCC is composed of 12 items chosen to reflect four communication contexts--public speaking, talking in a large meeting, talking in a small group, and talking in a dyad--and three common types of receivers--strangers, acquaintances, and friends. Results of an initial study using the SPCC were compared with those of others completed by the same subjects. The correlations suggest substantial personality influence in individuals' perceptions of communication competence. The strong correlation with willingness to communicate also suggests the potential impact of self-perceived communication competence on actual communication behavior. While the SPCC appears to be a valid measure of self-perceptions, it is not a valid measure of actual communication competence. (HTH)