If you have questions or comments about the Shyness Research Institute, send e-mail to the director, Bernardo J. Carducci. bcarducc@ius.indiana.edu 

 If you would like to participate in Carducci's research on shyness, send a completed copy of the Shyness Research Institute Survey to him. Responses will be kept confidential. 

 After downloading this text, you can select your answers to the questions by using an asterisk next to your choices, then cut, paste and e-mail the text to the Shyness Research Institute. Or, print this text from your laser printer and send your completed questionnaire using regular postal delivery. 

 Respond to: 
Bernardo J. Carducci, Ph.D., Director 
Shyness Research Institute 
Indiana University Southeast 
New Albany, IN 47150 
OR 
bcarducc@ius.indiana.edu 

SHYNESS RESEARCH INSTITUTE SURVEY

 Please answer the following questions as honestly as possible. 

 1) Do you consider yourself to be a shy person? 
__ yes __ no 

 2) If yes, have you always been shy (were shy previously and still are)? 
__ yes __ no 

 3) If no to question 1, was there ever a prior time in your life when you were shy? 
__ yes __ no 

If no, then you are finished with this survey. Thanks. If you have answered "yes" to any of the above, please continue. 

 4. How often do you experience (have experienced) these feelings of shyness? (Circle your choice) 

1 = every day 
2 = almost everyday 
3 = often, nearly every other day 
4 = once or twice a week 
5 = occasionally, less than once a week 
6 = rarely, once a month or less 

 5. Compared to your peers (of similar age, sex, and background), how shy are you? 

1 = much more shy 
2 = more shy 
3 = about as shy 
4 = less shy 
5 = much less shy 

 6. How desirable is it for you to be shy? 

1 = very undesirable 
2 = undesirable 
3 = neither 
4 = desirable 
5 = very desirable 

 7. Is (or was) your shyness ever a personal problem for you? 

1 = yes, often 
2 = yes, sometimes 
3 = yes, occasionally 
4 = rarely 
5 = never 

 8. Types of people who make you feel shy: (Check all that apply) 

___ my parents 
___ my siblings (brothers and/or sisters) 
___ other relatives 
___ friends 
___ strangers 
___ foreigners 
___ authorities (by virtue of their knowledge-intellectual superiors, experts) 
___ elderly people (much older than you) 
___ children (much younger than you) 
___ persons of the opposite sex, in a group 
___ persons of the opposite sex, one-to-one 
___ a person of the same sex, in a group 
___ a person of the same sex, one-to-one 
___ authorities (by virtue of their role-police, teacher, superior at work) 

 9. What do you believe is the cause of your shyness? (Check all that apply) 

__ born shy 
__ emotional abuse 
__ physical abuse 
__ overprotected parents 
__ faulty/inconsistent parental discipline practices 
__ negative emotional experiences(s) during childhood involving peers 
__ negative emotional experiences(s) during childhood involving individuals in position of authority (e.g., teachers or coaches) 
__ negative emotional experience(s) during adolescence involving peers 
__ negative emotional experience(s) during adolescence involving individuals in position of authority (e.g., teachers or coaches) 
__ being forced to engage in certain public activities as a child (e.g., dance or musical recitals, organized sports) 
__ family disruption (e.g., moving frequently or death of parent) 
__ other siblings 
__ parents divorcing 
__ parent(s) remarrying 
__ negative emotional experience(s) during young adult involving peers (e.g., roommates, classmates, co-workers) 
__ being easily embarrassed 
__ negative emotional experience(s) during young adulthood involving individuals in positions of authority (e.g., professors supervisors) 
__ lack of social skills 
__ lack of self-confidence 
__ low self-esteem 
__ being easily aroused 
__ parents are shy 
__ excessive self-consciousness 
__ other explanation(s) not listed above-- please explain (use additional space if necessary) 
__ do not know what caused your shyness 

 10. What area(s) of your personal life has your shyness created problems for you? 

__ meeting new people 
__ developing friendships 
__ dating 
__ establishing intimate relationships 
__ other areas of your personal life -- please explain (use additional space if necessary) 

 11. What area(s) of your professional life has your shyness created problems for you? 

__ talking with co-workers at work 
__ speaking up in meetings 
__ asking for a promotion and/or raise 
__ socializing with co-workers at lunch or after work 
__ socializing with clients 
__ socializing during professional meeting 
__ expressing your ideas to co-workers or clients 
__ public presentations to co-workers or clients 
__ other areas of your professional life--please explain (use additional space if necessary) 

 12. What area(s) of your educational life has your shyness created problems for you? 

__ speaking up in class 
__ participating in student organizations/sports 
__ asking for letters of recommendations 
__ seeking advice and/or assistance from teachers outside of the classroom 
__ asking questions during class 
__ participating in group discussions/projects 
__ giving a presentation to the class 
__ making friends with classmates 
__ asking for help from other classmates 
__ other areas of your educational life--please explain (use additional space if necessary) 

 13. Do you think Your shyness can be overcome? (Circle your choice) 

1= yes 
2 = no 
3 = uncertain 

 14. Are you willing to seriously work at overcoming it? (Circle your choice) 

1 = yes, definitely 
2 = yes, perhaps 
3 = not sure 
4 = no 

 15. What actions have you taken to overcome you shyness? (Check all those that apply) 

__tried to go out to meet people (e.g., night clubs, dances, parties, coffee houses, bookstores) 
__ tried to make conversation with individuals I don't know but would like to 
__ read self-help books 
__ individual therapy 
__ joined a fitness or recreational club or organization (e.g., tennis club) 
__ group therapy 
__ internet chat rooms and/or discussion groups 
__ self-medication (e.g., consumed alcohol and/or illegal drugs) 
__ tried to change the way you think about yourself 
__ changed your physical appearance 
__ attended seminars or workshops on shyness 
__ served as a volunteer 
__ joined professional organizations related to your job or career 
__ signed up with a dating or match-making service 
__ joined a religious or spiritual group 
__ attended self-esteem workshop or seminar 
__ relaxation or biofeedback training 
__ taken prescribed medication 
__ stress management training 
__ others actions not listed above--please explain (use additional space if necessary) 

__ no action taken 

 Tell us more about your shyness. Feel free to use additional sheets to answer these items: 

Describe factors you believe have contributed to your shyness. 
Describe how your shyness is expressed. 
Describe what problems your shyness has created for you in your personal, social, and/or professional life. 
Describe what you have tried to do to overcome your shyness. 
Describe how you use the internet to deal with your shyness. 
What about your shyness would you like to known more about? 
What else would you like to say about your shyness? 

Thank-you for your participation, 

Bernardo J. Carducci, Ph.D., Director 
Shyness Research Institute 
Indiana University Southeast 
New Albany, IN 47150 

 Responses will be kept confidential.