Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Bewertungsangst / Español: Temor a la Evaluación / Português: Medo de Avaliação / Français: Appréhension de l'évaluation / Italiano: Timore della Valutazione /

Evaluation apprehension refers to the experience of being anxious about being negatively evaluated or not positively evaluated.

In other words it is the concern for how others are evaluating us.

In the psychology context, evaluation apprehension refers to the fear or anxiety that arises from the prospect of being evaluated or judged by others. This fear can cause individuals to modify their behavior or performance in social situations in order to avoid negative evaluation or to seek positive evaluation.

One example of evaluation apprehension can be seen in public speaking. Many people experience anxiety or fear when speaking in front of a group because they are worried about being judged by their audience. This fear of negative evaluation can cause individuals to stutter, lose their train of thought, or avoid eye contact, which can negatively impact their performance.

Another example of evaluation apprehension can be seen in performance evaluations at work. Employees may experience anxiety or fear when they know they are being evaluated by their boss or colleagues, which can cause them to modify their behavior in order to appear more competent or likable. This fear of negative evaluation can lead to employees being overly cautious or hesitant in their work, which can negatively impact their performance.

Evaluation apprehension can also be seen in social situations such as parties or social gatherings. Individuals may feel anxious or nervous about meeting new people or engaging in social activities because they are worried about being judged by others. This fear of negative evaluation can cause individuals to avoid social situations altogether or to appear aloof or distant in social situations, which can negatively impact their social interactions.

Overall, evaluation apprehension can be a significant barrier to success and happiness in both personal and professional contexts. It can lead to anxiety, fear, and avoidance behaviors, which can limit an individual's ability to fully engage with others and reach their full potential. Therefore, it is important for individuals to recognize and address their evaluation apprehension in order to overcome these barriers and achieve their goals. Techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and exposure therapy can be effective in addressing evaluation apprehension and reducing anxiety and fear in social situations.

Other /More definition:
Evaluation apprehension refer to concerns about being evaluated or judged by other people; sometimes assumed to produce increased arousal. It is the concern for how others are evaluating us. Evaluation apprehension refers likewise to the participants' concern about being evaluated or judged during an experiment. It is the idea that a person performing a task becomes aroused because he or she is concerned that others are evaluating his or her performance.