Passage One Social anxiety is the single most commonpsychological problem, according to the 1986 results of the Stanford shynessinventory, a survey conducted by Philip G.Zimbardo, a professor of socialpsychology at Stanford University in California. At a party with strangers, forinstance, three-quarters of adults feel anxious. “The best estimate is that 40percent of all Americans suffer from shyness,” says Zimbardo. How can you avoid being nervous when youmeet people? Prepare. Preparation for any communication situation is a must.You’ve been invited to a big dinner party in two weeks. You know that one ofthe other guests is a politician. Scan the newspapers and magazines; listen tonewscasts for topics of conversation in political areas. Then at the party,pretend you’re an interviewer on talk show. Think of questions to ask whatcan’t be answered yes or no. “In your opinion, who...”“What do you think of...”Keep the momentum going. Whether you’re delivering a speech,approaching your boss for a raise or an important social occasion, do yourhomework. The most polished, smoothly delivered, spontaneous-sounding talks arethe result of many hours of work. The memorable one-liners and moving phrasesthat go down in history don’t come from last-minute bursts of inspiration. If you’re making a presentation of anysort, begin preparing as far ahead of time as possible. “Good writing,” saysHarvard University historian Richard Marius, “is a kind of wrestling withthought.” Begin the wrestling match early. Two days before your presentation isusually too late to go into the ring and come up with a winning idea. “To communicate,” says New York Timescolumnist William Safire, “put your thoughts in order, give them a purpose; usethem to persuade, to instruct, to discover, to seduce.” Prepare yourself as well as yourmaterial, giving special attention to your voice. A shrill, nasal tone strikesyour listeners like chalk screeching on a blackboard. By putting energy andresonance into your voice, you will have a positive effect. If your voice istimid or quivers with nervousness, you sense it, the audience hears it, and yousee discomfort in their eyes. With energy and enthusiasm in your voice thelisteners say ahhh, tell me more. You read approval. Like your voice, your appearance is acommunication tool. For example, if you are animated, you are most likely tosee animated listeners. You give the audience the message: I’m glad I’m here;I’m glad you’re here. Your approach can, in fact, be a powerfulweapon for deflecting hostility-from an audience, an interviewer, an employer.A benevolent aspect says I understand and conveys good will and positiveexpectations. It works.
What is the author’s attitude toward overcoming nervousness?
A、Critical.
B、Negative.
C、Suspicious.
D、Positive.
【正确答案】：D
