During this July’s tutorial, I discussed my uncertainties about the research and intervention with David. We discovered that the Mask Game was unsuitable for my stakeholders and would not effectively influence their behavior, based on the results from the first questionnaire. It was suggested that I seek expert advice from psychologists and then redesign my interventions.

So far, I have contacted two Chinese psychologists for interviews and am awaiting responses from psychologists in other countries. During this time, I have read two books, in addition to the one I mentioned in my last blog. One of them, “Helping Your Shy and Socially Anxious Client: A Social Fitness Training Protocol Using CBT” by Lynne Henderson, was particularly useful. I discovered that shyness and social anxiety are interconnected, forming a vicious cycle of fear, shame, and anger that exacerbates the psychological burden on individuals and leads to a suboptimal mental state. It’s important to note that shy individuals are not incapable of interacting with others; rather, their struggle often arises from emotional suppression and ineffective coping mechanisms, rather than simply lacking social skills. Fortunately, shyness and social anxiety can be alleviated through interventions or treatment (Henderson, 2014).

Furthermore, I have clarified the distinction between shyness and introversion. Shy people want to communicate with others but often worry about negative criticism and comments. This conclusion is supported by both the book and the questionnaire results. In contrast, introverts tend to be quiet and reserved. They do not overly magnify external criticism, and outside comments do not significantly affect their communication with others. Introverts can be sociable if they choose to be, but they usually prefer small groups and one-on-one conversations. (Dembling, 2012)

Throughout my research, I have struggled with whether my target should be introverted or shy individuals, often confusing the concepts of introversion and shyness. There is no definitive conclusion about whether a person is introverted or extroverted, but shyness and social anxiety are symptoms that most people experience to some extent. I have finally understood what has been confusing me for so many years, and this research has contributed to my personal growth.

For my intervention, I came up with two ideas. The first one is called cognitive restructuring. I will distribute theories about how emotions like shyness and social anxiety are formed to the respondents who participated in my July survey and indicated that they experience shyness. The aim is to help them understand rationally that feeling shy is not something to be ashamed of. The second one is called “Role-playing in different scenarios”. This idea was inspired by Lynne Henderson’s concept of the social fitness model. People can become aware of what they fear in social interactions through role-playing. By reviewing and reflecting on their communication after scenario-based training, they can gradually change their mindset and behavior in their daily lives. (Henderson, 2014) The role play will be in a group of 4 to 6 people. Group members can engage in role-playing with each other, trying out different behaviors. They can also use behavior storming to find the approaches that work best for them.

References:

Dembling, S. (2012) The introvert’s way: Living a quiet life in a Noisy World. New York: Penguin Group. 

Henderson, L. (2014). Helping your shy and socially anxious client: A social fitness training protocol using CBT. New Harbinger Publications.