10049: Social Anxiety

About the Course:

Social anxiety is a pervasive part of everyday life. Whether experienced during public speaking, in casual conversation, or in interactions with a boss, a potential romantic partner, or a complete stranger, feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, and awkwardness are often the consequence of quite ordinary encounters. Why does social anxiety occur? Why are some people more prone to it than others? A complete and authoritative review of theory and research, this book examines the situational, dispositional, and evolutionary causes of social anxiety; its physiological, cognitive, and emotional aspects; and strategies for prevention and treatment. Special features include scales for measuring different manifestations of social anxiety as well as concise boxed segments highlighting topics of particular interest.

Author

Mark R. Leary, Ph.D. and Robin Mark Kowalski, Ph.D.

About the Authors:

Dr. Leary is Professor of Psychology at Wake Forest University and Dr. Kowalski is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Western Carolina University.

Course Objectives:

1. To gain knowledge and insight into recent research and theoretical perspectives of social anxiety

2. To explain the interpersonal basis of social anxiety

3. To understand Self-presentational theory (Motivation, Expectancies & Disasters)

4. To gain knowledge and insight into trait social anxiety and social phobia

5. To explore social anxiety treatment strategies and their effectiveness