Shyness

January 4, 1999
Psychology professor Carducci defines shyness as a "personality trait" rather than as an emotional disorder or mental illness. In fact, he asserts, nearly everyone suffers from shyness to some degree and at some time in life. For some, due to combinations of biology, environment, experience and psychology, shyness can cause a lot of trouble. Acknowledging the handicap this trait can become, particularly in current Western culture, Carducci attempts "not to turn introverts into extroverts" but rather to teach readers to live a "successfully shy life." Beginning with a questionnaire to determine the reader's level of shyness and its impact on daily life, Carducci suggests many techniques for coping with specific social, workplace and personal situations, including meetings, interviews, dates, speeches, presentations, networking and party small talk. He recommends keeping a "shy life journal" in which to record experiences and resolutions for "expanding your comfort zone." Carducci also includes descriptions of pertinent brain activity and useful information for parents and teachers of shy children.