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From Social Withdrawal to Social Confidence: Evidence for Possible Pathways

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Abstract

Children born with a possible predisposition toward shyness face many social challenges. Researchers over the past four decades have begun to identify specific factors that influence shy children’s social skill development and their level of peer acceptance. The purpose of this article is to review factors across each developmental stage that have been found to either promote or hinder the development of social competence and peer acceptance in shy children. These factors include physiological differences, caregiver influences, emotion socialization, friendships, general peer support, coping skills, organized social activities, and socioeconomic status.

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Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank Dr. Carlin Miller for her proofreading and helpful editing of the manuscript through multiple revisions.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, Canada

    Scott R. Miller & Elizabeth Coll

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Miller, S.R., Coll, E. From Social Withdrawal to Social Confidence: Evidence for Possible Pathways. Curr Psychol 26, 86–101 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-007-9006-6

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