Shyness
Shyness
Shyness (/ˈʃaɪnəs/), also known as diffidence, is a feeling of apprehension, lack of comfort, or awkwardness experienced when a person is in proximity to, approaching, or being approached by other people, especially in new situations or with unfamiliar people.
Etymology
The term "shyness" comes from the Old English scéonu, meaning "shame". It first appeared in English in the 12th century.
Definition
Shyness can be a characteristic of people who have low self-esteem. Stronger forms of shyness are usually referred to as social anxiety or social phobia. The primary defining characteristic of shyness is a largely ego-driven fear of what others will think of a person's behavior. This results in a person becoming scared of doing or saying what they want to out of fear of negative reactions, being laughed at, humiliated or patronized, criticism, and/or rejection. A shy person may simply opt to avoid social situations instead.
Related Terms
- Introversion: Introversion is a personality trait characterized by a focus on internal feelings rather than on external sources of stimulation. Shyness is not necessarily an indicator of introversion.
- Social Anxiety: Social anxiety is a form of anxiety characterized by continuous fear of one or more social situations. While shyness may be a symptom of social anxiety, they are not synonymous.
- Self-esteem: Self-esteem is an individual's subjective evaluation of their own worth. Shyness can often stem from low self-esteem.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Shyness
- Wikipedia's article - Shyness
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