Sam Smith (shyness, 2008) Case

According to Sam Smith (Shyness, 2008), both genetic and social influences contribute to shyness. Smith cites a study on the impact of nature on shyness, in which shyness can be detected in two-month-old babies. On the other side, environmental factors, including family, culture and technology, could shape further. Children who grow up in families with unpleasant relationships or in small families tend to become shy. Culturally, Smith states a finding that attitudes towards the beneficiary of success and failure result in shyness of residents, which explains a fact that Japanese are less likely to take responsibility in public than Israel people because Japanese culture attributes all failure to the individual while in Israel it is others who are blamed. The development of technology also contributes to the increase in shyness by reducing face-to-face interactions, which in turn weaken people’s inclination to join social activities. However, Smith also argues that shyness can be an advantage in assisting people to make achievements. Based on his states, Smith may suggest the society to address these external impacts on shyness and reduce them.

Smith’s logical and convincing argument analyzes the cause of shyness and its hidden advantages. Nowadays, most people tend to consider shyness as a negative personality and combine it with words like introvert. From studying recruit requirements of most companies, it’s evident that managers prefer extroverted applicants with excellent teamwork skill as well as solid communication skills. However, some researchers believe in the power of introverts. According to Susan Cain’s talk in TED, introvert people can be excellent team leaders because they provide more free space to creative members rather than focusing on their own ideas. Furthermore, introverted people may enjoy more time staying alone. Without being disturbed, they are more likely to discover and present new ideas through rumination. Abraham