The Voices of the shy: The consequences, misconceptions and ‘management’ of shyness.

Hughes, Elle (2017) The Voices of the shy: The consequences, misconceptions and ‘management’ of shyness. Manchester Metropolitan University. (Unpublished)

Preview

Available under License In Copyright. Download (498kB) | Preview

Abstract

In best efforts to ensure an environment deemed ‘safe’ to shy individuals, the present study employed email interviews in order to facilitate ‘non-shy’ interaction. An interpretative phenomenological analysis was utilised to uncover the subjective meaning and experience of shyness, and four key themes were identified. These were: ‘The consequences of shyness, ‘The role that other’s play in shyness’, ‘‘Managing’ shyness’ and ‘Shyness is ‘not such a bad thing after all’’. By giving shy individuals a voice, this study highlights how shyness hinders its ‘victims’ and the social context in which shyness is shaped, managed and defined.