Shyness – the inner barrier of social inclusion

One of the most important personal problem in the process of social inclusion is shyness. Shyness expresses itself with the fear of social exposure a decline in the effectiveness of the individual, social competences and problems in interpersonal communication. It is not really clear whether this decrease in the effectiveness of the individual in social relations is result of the low social competences of shy people, or whether low social competences are the result of shyness. Shyness can be perceived differently and this is a cause difficulties to understanding its destructive meaning. For example, in traditional societies it was treated as a virtue, an expression of respect for the status of people with whom the individual interacted with, a manifestation of highly esteemed modesty. However, in a modern society, shyness essentially deprives man of the chance to participate fully in society. It is therefore a weakness of the individual, because it reduces the chances of a full social inclusion. The article deals with the conditions, manifestations and causes of the maladaptive significance of chronic shyness.