Social inhibition

Social inhibition is the conscious or subconscious avoidance of a situation or social interaction. With a high level of social inhibition, situations are avoided because of the possibility of others disapproving of their feelings or actions. Related processes that deal with social inhibition are social evaluation concerns, anxiety in social interaction, social avoidance, and withdrawal.^[1] Also related are components such as cognitive patterns, anxious apprehension during social interactions, and internalizing problems. It also describes those who suppress anger, restrict social behavior, withdraw in the face of novelty, and have a long latency to interact with strangers.^[2]

Individuals can also have a low level of social inhibition, but certain situations may or may not generally cause people to be more or less inhibited. Social inhibition can sometimes be reduced by the short-term use of drugs including alcohol or benzodiazepines. However, this doesn't solve the root issue and may cause substance dependence. Major signs of social inhibition in children include cessation of play, hesitancy to approach an unfamiliar person, signs of fear and negative affect, and security seeking.^[3] In high level cases of social inhibition, other social disorders can emerge through development, such as social anxiety disorder and social phobia.^[4][5]