La timidezza nell'arco di vita

Shyness is a condition defined as discomfort and/or inhibition experienced in social and interpersonal situations and it is characterized on affective, behavioural, and cognitive levels. It involves feelings of anxiety, concern, and discomfort in the presence of others. Moreover, shy people display inhibited, reticent and awkward behaviours, and they tend to withdraw from social situations. Finally, on a cognitive level, shy individuals tend to have low self-esteem, negative self-concept, and negative thoughts about their social ability. In the last thirty years, many researchers have developed a growing interest for the theme of shyness, as a result of possible negative outcomes that often characterize shy people. Indeed, it has been shown that shy- ness represents a risk factor for the development of psychological disorders and social problems. In particular, shy individuals tend to develop high levels of depression and anxiety and, in general, internalizing problems. Moreover, they have many interpersonal difficulties, such as establishing satisfying relationships, making new friendships, meeting people, and expressing their opinions. Shy people frequently experience others’ reject, and this experience tends to confirm their negative self- concept and increase their levels of anxiety in social situations. The aim of this work is to analyse the literature about shyness. In particular, it analyses several factors that affect the development of shyness, such as biological, familiar, and social variables. In addiction, this review analyses individual correlates and developmental consequences of shyness from infancy to adulthood, as well as the influence of gender and cultural context on the socio-emotional adjustment of shy individuals. In fact, in cross-cultural studies, researchers have found that the significance of shyness and, consequently, its evolutive out- comes depend on the demands of a particular individual’s sociocultural context.