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Self-Perception Theory and the Treatment of Shyness

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Shyness

Abstract

For many people, the feeling of uncertainty, apprehension, and awkwardness in interpersonal situations is a common problem. Surveys indicate that at least 90% of Americans report feeling shy occasionally; and 50% indicate that shyness sometimes constitutes a significant problem for them (Zimbardo, 1977). Although a variety of theoretical approaches have been employed to date to help individuals overcome this problem, (Curran, 1977; Leary, 1983), Bem’s (1972), selfperception theory, a potentially important perspective, has received little attention. In fact, except for an earlier review paper by Kopel and Arkowitz (1975) and a series of studies (Haemmerlie, 1983; Haemmerlie and Montgomery, 1982; Haemmerlie and Montgomery, in press) by the present authors, this approach has received hardly any attention at all in the therapy or treatment literature.

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Haemmerlie, F.M., Montgomery, R.L. (1986). Self-Perception Theory and the Treatment of Shyness. In: Jones, W.H., Cheek, J.M., Briggs, S.R. (eds) Shyness. Emotions, Personality, and Psychotherapy. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0525-3_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0525-3_24

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-0527-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-0525-3

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