Shyness: A Bold New Approach

by Susan K. Golant

In Shyness , Bernardo J. Carducci, Ph.D., draws on more than twenty years of research to penetrate the many myths and mysteries surrounding shyness. Through compelling case studies, a comprehensive presentation of the latest discoveries, and numerous self-help strategies and self-assessment quizzes, Dr. Carducci helps to enlighten and encourage shy people who feel isolated and misunderstood. In Shyness , Carducci explains the basic principles of shyness; discuses the psychical, mental, and emotional expressions of shyness; and explores the biological, psychological, and societal roots of this trait. In addition, Dr. Carducci traces the manifestations of shyness at different life stages. In an age of instantaneous, on-line electronic interpersonal relationships, he outlines the specific challenges facing shy individuals in contemporary society. Shyness is not about transforming shy people into extroverts. Its principal mission is to promote what Dr. Carducci calls "the successfully shy life"--one of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-confidence. He provides such easy-to-implement strategies

Genres: Psychology, Self Help, Nonfiction

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

I have been writing nonfiction books alone and with others since 1982 and have more than 40 books to my credit. I am a book collaborator, co-author, book doctor, ghostwriter, editor, and/or writing coach. My specialties: psychology, health and medical breakthroughs, diet, women’s advancement, business, spirituality, and parenting. Most are self-help books written with an eye toward improving society.

My love of writing has spawned a career rich in experience and learning including, most recently, The 30-Day Heart Tune-Up: A Breakthrough Medical Plan to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease(Center Street, 2014) with Steven Masley, MD; Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis, my third book collaboration with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter; the award-winning Alzheimer’s Project: Momentum in Science, based on the acclaimed HBO documentary series; and Ten Years Younger, a diet, exercise, and lifestyle book. I help new and seasoned authors develop book proposals and sell their books. Publishers and agents call me to salvage books that are in trouble. I am a coach and cheerleader for others’ careers. I have taught at UCLA’s Writers’ Program for nearly 20 years and have become what some partners call a literary midwife – helping authors give birth to their books.

Reviews

[Su Myint Myat Moe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a very shy person. I try to overcome this shyness in my whole life, but I still have to deal with this feeling and work on it every day. Shyness is different from introversion. Introverts have the conversation skills and they can communicate with certain people but they just simply prefer being by themselves. Shy people desire to be social. But their anxiety and negative self-critical evaluations hold them back. This book includes scientific studies on shyness, their nature and dynamic. Shyness is not a character flaw or mental disorder. You can’t take out of it. But you can control the shyness if you know it's dynamic. I recommend to this book to all shy people like me and people who have to manage and interact with shy people.

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for shy people like me, and very useful. Parts of it are skimmable, because they aren't relevant to me (anymore/yet), but other parts could bear some re-reading to keep stuff fresh in your mind when you approach new people. I particularly liked the section on small talk. I know I don't ask questions, and apparently that's the thing to do -- and it really works!

I just tried it out the first day of university with a girl I'm sort of familiar with from a previous class, though we never talked for more than a minute before. Seeing that we just had a Christmas break, that was an obvious topic to start with ("How was your break?") and we talked about that. Then we moved on to other topics common to us, such as discussing this class, the teacher, the book ("Where did you get it?" because I was looking online for it and didn't find it). Success!

I think I need to buy a copy. It's not very expensive...

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provided me with several insights. First, I did not know that almost 50% of adults consider themselves to be shy. Second, it's important to understand that shyness is a personality trait, not a disease or condition that is innate. Dr. Carducci did a good job conveying the point that the choices we make can either reinforce our shy tendencies or allow us to breakthrough them. Overall, I'm glad I read this book and would recommend it to my friends.

[Tamahome · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of a survey on all the scientific studies on shyness. You'd definitely get plenty of detail, and maybe clear up some delusions, reading it. Goes all the way from 'reactive babies', to love and the workplace. But people who spend most of their leisure time reading would have no interest in this, right?

This Psychology Today article sort of has samples from the book: http://www.psychologytoday.com/articl...