Source: Lighthunter/Shutterstock We’ve all had the awful experience of feeling awkward in social situations. Most of us have had such experiences over and over again. What’s that about? Do you know what happens in social interactions that can make you feel awkward and uncomfortable? Think about that, and then read on to see what research psychologist Joshua Clegg discovered in his research. Happily, he also uncovered a few things people can do to escape the awkwardness—without actually walking away. Social awkwardness seems especially likely to occur among strangers, so in Clegg’s research, most participants did not know each other. (Also, most were college students.) When they showed up for the study, they were led into a room where some of the other participants may have already arrived, and instructed to take one of the seats around the table. On the table were cups, a pitcher of water, and a plate of cookies. After the last participant arrived, the door was closed and the participants were not given any other instructions. After a few minutes, the researcher entered and told them that later in the study, each of them would be asked to introduce one of the others to everyone else,… Read full this story
10 Awkward Moments, and 6 Ways to Escape Them have 209 words, post on www.psychologytoday.com at March 25, 2015. This is cached page on Vietnam Art News. If you want remove this page, please contact us.