Gadgets causing shyness?

The proliferation of gadgets as well as email messaging has encouraged shyness among people, experts believe. According to Robin Abrahams, a psychologist and etiquette columnist, about 50 percent of people who participated in her research reported being shy in social situations, ever since the technology boom started along with the advent of iPods and other similar devices.

The recent rapid changes in society paved the way for different and varied sets of “appropriate” behavior, and such differences mainly cause awkward situations that some people wouldn’t want to encounter.

How do gadgets factor in this situation? Since most devices offer an excuse to be left alone (ie: listening to the iPod, tying something in the laptop and yes, playing handheld games), people tend to become more isolated, opting to be by themselves instead of facing awkward social encounters.

And with online communication options, such as SMS, email and chat, they don’t have to be face to face with the person that they’re talking to.

Another worrying trend, according to Abrahams, is the increasing tendency to have shyness treated by medical means. “And that’s a big problem because medicine can’t teach you social skills,” said Abrahams.

How to overcome shyness? The psychologist offers to tried-and-tested solutions: communication and practice. And lay off the iPod/DS/PSP for some time.

Via Daily Telegraph

The proliferation of gadgets as well as email messaging has encouraged shyness among people, experts believe. According to Robin Abrahams, a psychologist and etiquette columnist, about 50 percent of people who participated in her research reported being shy in social situations, ever since the technology boom started along with the advent of iPods and other similar devices.

The recent rapid changes in society paved the way for different and varied sets of “appropriate” behavior, and such differences mainly cause awkward situations that some people wouldn’t want to encounter.

How do gadgets factor in this situation? Since most devices offer an excuse to be left alone (ie: listening to the iPod, tying something in the laptop and yes, playing handheld games), people tend to become more isolated, opting to be by themselves instead of facing awkward social encounters.

And with online communication options, such as SMS, email and chat, they don’t have to be face to face with the person that they’re talking to.

Another worrying trend, according to Abrahams, is the increasing tendency to have shyness treated by medical means. “And that’s a big problem because medicine can’t teach you social skills,” said Abrahams.

How to overcome shyness? The psychologist offers to tried-and-tested solutions: communication and practice. And lay off the iPod/DS/PSP for some time.

Via Daily Telegraph