September 2, 2007
Gadgets Causing 'Epidemic of Shyness'
The introduction of e-mail, text messaging and iPods is causing a worldwide epidemic of shyness. The Daily Telegraph reports via The Raw Feed.
"Psychologist, Harvard Business School researcher and etiquette columnist Robin Abrahams says societies have become filled with shrinking violets.
"In the past, only about 40 per cent of people reported being shy in social situations,'' Ms Abrahams said. "It's now a significant problem affecting about half.''
Ms Abrahams, visiting Tasmania as the University of Tasmania's guest for National Science Week, said social shyness was most prevalent in Japan and least prevalent in Israel.
"Society is changing so rapidly it's becoming difficult to navigate. There's no longer a set of rules for appropriate behaviour,'' she said.
"At the same time, technology is enabling us to opt out of difficult situations and causing people to become more insular. "
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