Senior Ali Maidi is afraid of introducing himself to new people. His girlfriend, freshman Erika Heidewald, said she had to ask him out first, and she has to introduce him to new people when they're at a party. Maidi said he fears others will judge him based on what he says.\n"I'm afraid of imposing and saying the wrong thing," he said. "I'm afraid of making an ass of myself."\nShyness is a big problem in the United States, and it's only getting worse, said IU psychology professor Bernardo Carducci. More than 40 percent of the population is what Carducci calls traditionally shy, and that number is slowly rising with the proliferation of personal electronics such as laptops and iPods.\nCarducci, director of the IU-Southeast's Shyness Research Institute, which was established in 1997, has been studying shyness for 30 years. His research is based on surveys he has conducted for more than 25 years, as well as content analysis of written letters from people seeking his help to overcome their shyness. \nHe said shy people find it hard to get ahead professionally and academically.\n"The problem with being shy is that it holds you back," Carducci said. \nTypes of shyness\nCarducci has classified four types of shyness: shy alcoholism, situational shyness, shy extroversion and traditional shyness. \nShy alcoholics are those who drink alcohol to feel more comfortable in social situations. Carducci said about 10 percent to 12 percent of shy people are shy alcoholics.\nTraditional shy people find it difficult to approach others in all situations and in all places, Carducci said. He said about 40 percent of the general population has traditional shyness.\nFreshman Whitney Sexton is a person who might be traditionally shy. She said she is very hesitant to meet new people and make new friends.\n"If I don't know them, then I don't talk to them," she said. "But I'm not as shy now that I'm in college. I'm willing to make new friends."\nSituational shyness is the most common type of shyness, with a prevalence in 95 percent of the general population, Carducci said. People with situational shyness do not experience any anxiety in most social situations, but they experience it in one or two specific situations.\nSophomore Brian Wolfe said he works as a bartender, and he's not shy at his job, nor is he shy at parties. However, he said he is shy in his classes, and he finds it difficult to talk to classmates, especially if he has to work with a group.\n"If I'm not sure I know the material, then I don't want to talk," he said.\nA shy extrovert is someone who is fine when in his or her own environment but experiences anxiety in all other social situations, Carducci said. He said the prevalence of this type of shyness is unknown, but many famous people, including David Letterman, are shy extroverts.\nSophomore Kayse Owens said that when she was a child, she used to sing for her church. However, when she was off the stage, Owens said she found it hard to talk to people.\n"I used to hide behind my mom all the time," she said. \nThe "iPod effect" \nCarducci said the rise of technology is one of the reasons shyness is increasing in the population. He said shy people usually carry their iPods and laptops to public places, and though they want to communicate with others, their electronics get in the way.\n"When (shy) people go to coffeehouses, they bring their iPods and computers ... but you can listen to music or go on the computer at home," he said. "People who do this usually don't communicate, but they go to public places such as coffeehouses because they truly want to communicate with someone."\nHe said iPods, laptops and cell phones cause people to withdraw into their own world, and it makes it harder for them to connect with others. Carducci calls this the "iPod effect." \nWhen interacting with electronics, Carducci explained, people are able to get things instantly, on their own terms. But when interacting with human beings, people cannot gain instant acceptance or have friendships established at their convenience.\n"Friendships involve time and compromise," Carducci said. "With the iPod effect, there is no compromise."
How to overcome shyness\nCarducci suggests shy people get involved in their community by volunteering in an organization and getting together with others for a common cause. He also said that engaging in kindness, such as complimenting or holding doors open for others, can help people overcome shyness.\n"The solution is in the heart," he said. "You just have to be nice."\nFriendships take time to form and mature and also take effort from both parties, Carducci said.\n"Think about what you \ncould offer to others," he said. "Intimate friendships don't happen immediately"
