Shy Brains

We're learning more about the brain every day. A new study at Harvard Medical School used functional MRIs to document how the amygdala responds to new faces. Shy children have an extra-strong reaction in the amygdala when shown a face they've never seen before. Even adults who have seemingly overcome their innate shyness show this brain response.

Does this mean that shyness is genetic? Not necessarily, but the study does suggest that there may be a genetic predisposition to shyness. Life experiences also affect personality characteristics such as shyness. More information is on the recent study is in this Reuters summary and this Scientific American article.