The Shyness & Social Anxiety Workbook
38that are related to social anxiety (words such as “blush” or “party”) than do 
those who are less anxious.
UÊSocial anxiety is associated with a tendency to have a better memory and 
recognition for other people’s faces, particularly if the expression on the 
face appears to be negative or critical.
Taken together, these studies suggest that social anxiety and social anxiety disorder 
are associated with thinking styles that may actually make the problem worse. In chapter 
6, we’ll discuss ways to change your anxious thoughts and replace them with less anxious 
and more realistic ways of thinking. A number of studies investigating the effects of 
cognitive behavioral therapy on the negative thinking styles often associated with social 
anxiety have found that treatment leads to a reduction in negative thinking (Hirsch and 
Clark 2004).
HOW BEHAVIORS CONTRIBUTE TO  
SOCIAL ANXIETY
As discussed in chapter 1, avoidance of social situations can have the effect of increas -
ing social anxiety over the long term. In other words, the strategy that people who 
are socially anxious use most frequently to cope with their fear may actually make the 
problem worse .
In addition, some behaviors that people use to protect themselves in social situa -
tions can actually lead to the very outcome that people with social anxiety disorder fear 
most—a negative reaction from others. For example, if when talking to other people at 
a party, you speak very quietly, avoid eye contact, and avoid expressing your views and 
opinions, people may choose to talk to someone else. They may interpret your behavior 
as a sign that you’re not interested in talking or that you are a difﬁcult person to get