Wallflower (person)

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Emotions

A wallflower is a shy or an introverted person, who attends social occasions by limiting his or her interactions with others. A wallflower can be talkative with friends while being cold to strangers.

Origin

Wallflower is derived from a plant with the same name, which grows against a wall or within cracks between stone walls. This has contributed to its use as a metaphor for those who tend to watch others in social occasions.

Theories

There are multiple theories explaining why someone is a wallflower, including the structural function theory,[1] social conflict theory[2] and symbolic interaction theory.[3] Of the three theories, the symbolic interaction theory is said to be the most relevant.[3] Wallflowers are said to be interested in no more than symbolic interactions.[3]

Body language

In terms of body language, wallflowers tend to avoid eye contact,[3][4] sometimes mistaken as rudeness by unsympathetic persons,[3][4] especially ableists, when the behavior of some wallflowers is caused by mental conditions,[3][4] such as social anxiety and avoidant personality disorder.[5][6]

Social anxiety

Some wallflowers have social anxiety, whose avoidance of interactions is associated with the fear of negative judgments.[5][6] This leaves them with a higher chance of lacking social or romantic relationship.[5][6] Loneliness and depression are particularly common among wallflowers.[5][6]

References

  1. ↑ "What is an example of structural functionalism?". Reference. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
  2. ↑ Investopedia Staff (2013-07-10). "Conflict Theory". Investopedia. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Symbolic Interactionism". www.utwente.nl. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Body language of shyness – Body language expert, reading body language, read body language of men and women". readingbodylanguagenow.com. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Social Anxiety Disorder | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA". www.adaa.org. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Fear of Crowds - Phobias - Anxiety". www.healthcentral.com. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
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