Personal Report of Interethnic Communication Apprehension [PRECA-14]

Description

The Personal Report of Interethnic Communication Apprehension (PRECA-14) is a 14-item instrument designed to assess discomfort, tension, or anxiety that may arise during communication with individuals from different ethnic backgrounds.

The instrument focuses on difficulties that can occur in interethnic interactions, particularly in situations characterized by tension, disagreement, or limited opportunities for constructive dialogue. The source material describes an example of a highly tense interethnic communication context in which attempts at mediation did not lead to agreement.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the PRECA-14 is to assess communication apprehension and dysfunction associated with interaction between individuals from different ethnic groups.

The instrument can contribute to a better understanding of the extent to which individuals feel comfortable or, conversely, experience tension and difficulty when participating in interethnic communication.

According to the source material, particular emphasis is also placed on the need for more constructive and respectful communication in order to support dialogue, conflict management, and peaceful interaction between ethnic groups.

Structure

The PRECA-14 consists of 14 items assessing attitudes and reactions related to communication in interethnic contexts.

Its brief format allows communication apprehension to be assessed efficiently without requiring an extensive administration procedure.

Scoring

The 14 items are rated using a five-point Likert scale:

1 = Strongly Disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Undecided
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly Agree

The overall assessment is based on participants’ responses across the individual items. The source file does not provide further details regarding reverse-scored items, specific cut-off values, or separate subscales.

Applications

The PRECA-14 may be used in research examining intercultural and interethnic communication, communication difficulties between different social groups, and psychological reactions associated with such interactions.

It may be particularly useful in educational, social, and research settings where communication adjustment, intergroup interaction, and factors that facilitate or hinder constructive dialogue are being investigated.

Importance of the Instrument

Assessing interethnic communication apprehension can provide useful information about barriers that affect communication quality.

Identifying these difficulties may support the development of educational or social interventions aimed at strengthening mutual respect, improving communication, and promoting more functional interethnic relationships.

Reference

Neuliep, J. W., & McCroskey, J. C. (1997). The development of intercultural and interethnic communication apprehension. Communication Research Reports, 14, 385–398.