This study tested the hypothesis suggested by our earlier research that the principal effect of heightened anxiety on speech fluency is an interference with language formulation. 20 women read contextual material aloud at ovulation (when the typical woman experiences her greatest feelings of well-being) and at premenstruation (when she experiences a significant increase in anxiety level). They were no less fluent at premenstruation than at ovulation. These data are consistent with the hypothesis tested.
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