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In humans, shyness is a feeling of insecurity that certain people experience
while being among others, talking with others, asking favors of others,
etc. In zoology, shy generally means "tends to avoid human beings".
Shyness is most likely to occur in an unfamiliar situation. Since many
shy people thus avoid these situations in order to avoid feeling uncomfortable
and inept, the situation remains unfamiliar and the shyness perpetuates
itself. However, the initial cause of shyness can vary. Sometimes it seems
to originate after the subject has experienced a physical anxiety reaction;
at other times, shyness seems to develop first and then later causes physical
symptoms of anxiety.
Scientists have located some genetic data that supports the hypothesis
that shyness is at least partially genetic. However, it has also been
proven that extroversion and introversion have much to do with the environment
in which a child was raised, and not just its genetic makeup. A child
who is shy toward strangers may eventually lose this trait as he grows
up, or retain some tendency toward shyness.
Shy people do not necessarily feel the same degree of shyness toward
all others. For instance, a heterosexual may be shy toward someone of
the opposite sex, or an actor may be loud and bold onstage but shy in
an interview.
Shy people tend to perceive their own shyness as a negative trait and
many people are uneasy with shyness, especially in cultures that value
individuality and taking charge. On the other hand, many shy people are
perceived to be good listeners and are more likely to think before they
speak. Furthermore, boldness, the opposite of shyness, may cause its own
problems, such as impertinence or inappropriate behavior. This also applies
to feigned boldness as a compensation for shyness.
Shyness is not directly related to introversion. Introverts choose to
avoid social situations because they derive no reward from them, and may
find the extra sensory input overwhelming. Shy people fear such situations
and feel that they have to avoid them.
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