Threat, shyness, and their impact on making a personal introduction videotape

Abstract

This study examined the impact of internal (heart-rate feedback) and external (degree of task structure) sources of threat and shyness on university students’ responses to making a personal introduction videotape. Shy and less shy participants, randomly assigned to higher (n=44) and lower (n=43) threat conditions completed measures of appraisal and self-statements before and after this stressor. Shy presenters in a high threat condition (i.e., given heart-rate feedback suggesting anxiety, less structure in preparing introduction) were more likely to appraise the task as a threat than less shy subgroups and reported fewer positive self statements and a more protective orientation than less threatened shy and non-shy subgroups after the task. Findings suggest strategies to decrease internal and external task threats may help the shy to modify appraisals and self-talk when faced with impression management challenges.