Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to explore the implications of shyness for older adults. Shy people are inhibited, anxious, and preoccupied with the self in social and evaluative situations (Jones & Russell, 1982). Consequently,they approach such situations with hesitation, and with less adequate social skills. For younger adults the implications of shyness seem straightforward. Inhibited and less skilled social behaviors may constrain the formation of a variety of personal relationships essential to friendship development, romantic involvement, social exchange, social support, and so on. From a role-theoretical perspective (cf., Hogan, Jones, & Cheek, 1985), such characteristics also would interfere with effective role performances within one’s important social and reference groups, threatening one’s acceptance and status in society.
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Hansson, R.O. (1986). Shyness and the Elderly. In: Jones, W.H., Cheek, J.M., Briggs, S.R. (eds) Shyness. Emotions, Personality, and Psychotherapy. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0525-3_10
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0525-3_10
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