Strategies for Improving Perceptions of Shy Individuals

Title

Strategies for Improving Perceptions of Shy Individuals

Creator

Laas, Whitney L.

Bollich, Kathryn L.

Mathis, Stacy E.

Giuliano, Traci A.

Date

2014-08-28

Date Available

2014-08-28

Date Issued

2010

uri

http://collections.southwestern.edu/s/suscholar/item/22

Abstract

Three studies explored the effectiveness of various-self presentational strategies that shy people can use to combat other’s misperceptions of them. In Study 1, 83 undergraduates (57 women) completed a survey that assessed the perceived effectiveness of several self-presentation strategies. The results indicated that the strategy of future corrective action was perceived as most effective, whereas the strategy of showing low corrective effort was perceived as least effective. In Study 2, 193 adults (128 women) completed an anonymous online questionnaire in which participants imagined interacting with a target who was described as exhibiting overt shy behaviors and who then implemented one of four strategies (i.e., no acknowledgement, acknowledgement, future corrective action, and assured liking). As predicted, if targets acknowledged their shyness, it improved the overall impressions they made. Similarly, both implying future corrective action for shyness and assuring interaction partners that they were liked improved perceptions compared to only acknowledging shyness. Using a more realistic videotaped interaction (watched by 149 undergraduates, including 104 women), Study 3 sought to corroborate the findings of Study 2 and to rule out a potential alternative explanation (i.e., that acknowledging shyness acts as a self-disclosure). The results confirmed the effectiveness of the strategies presented when compared to the use of no strategy. Taken together, our findings suggest that simple strategies can be employed by shy individuals to enhance the overall impressions they make on others.

Language

English

Relation

Brown Working Papers in the Arts and Sciences;2010, no. 2

Subject

Self-presentation strategies

Shyness

Type

Working Paper