A group of researchers has discovered specific neural patterns that can predict this behaviour. How this breakthrough could open up new perspectives for personalised diagnoses and therapies for some people This was stated in a recent study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences. Experts analysed young adults and concluded that the propensity to avoid social contact arises from neural patterns in the cerebellum, a region traditionally linked to motor control and movement coordination.
The research used functional magnetic resonance imaging at rest to examine the brain dynamics of participants. The results indicate that people with pronounced signs of shyness have less neural synchronisation in the Crus I area of the cerebellum. Researchers identify lower neural synchronisation in the cerebellum as key to the tendency to avoid social contact The assessment showed that differences in functional connectivity in this area predict the intensity of social inhibition. This is the first time that this direct link has been accurately established, opening up a new interpretation of the mechanisms behind shyness.
The study also provides information on the functioning of behavioural inhibition and activation systems. The behavioural inhibition system (BIS) activates caution in ambiguous or threatening situations and emerges as a key point in the relationship between the cerebellum and shyness. On the other hand, the behavioural activation system (BAS), responsible for reward seeking, shows no significant relationship with the tendency towards introversion, according to the data collected by the team. Functional magnetic resonance imaging reveals that the Crus I area of the cerebellum is directly linked to social inhibition
The cerebellum: from motor skills to emotional and social regulation
According to the National Geographic article, the scientific community has for decades associated the cerebellum with purely motor functions. This new approach also positions it as a “centre of integration” for emotional regulation and social processing. The study’s authors suggest that reduced neural coherence in Crus I affects how the brain interprets and responds to social stimuli, which can manifest as withdrawal and anxiety in public situations. Less cohesion in the cerebellum’s neural network leads to greater sensitivity to criticism and a more intense interpretation of external judgements.
For this reason, people with low synchronisation in this area may feel discomfort or stress in social situations. The behavioural inhibition system, activated in ambiguous situations, is related to shyness and brain activity. The findings support the hypothesis that shyness is not simply a learned habit, but a natural manifestation of spontaneous brain activity. The new paradigm proposed by the research promotes the design of interventions focused on non-invasive brain stimulation, as well as cognitive training strategies to adjust the BIS response. The ultimate goal is to facilitate emotional regulation and improve the ability to interact in society, especially in people who suffer from significant withdrawal or related anxiety disorders. The cerebellum, traditionally associated with motor control, also regulates emotional response and social processing
Prospects for therapeutic approach and social adaptation
The possibility of intervening in specific brain patterns broadens the options for treating shyness and its most extreme manifestations. According to the scientists cited in the publication, a better understanding of the neural synchronisation of the cerebellum will allow for the personalisation of treatments, the optimisation of psychological training programmes, and the creation of more direct therapies. In the future, research may be extended to other age groups and different clinical conditions to verify whether the same mechanisms influence the socialisation of children, adolescents, or people with neurodevelopmental disorders. Advances in neuroscience already allow us to explore magnetic stimulation or neurofeedback resources to modulate brain activity and reduce the negative impact of social withdrawal. Low neuronal cohesion in the cerebellum increases sensitivity to criticism and stress when exposed to the public
The study analysed university samples, so the generalisation of the results still needs to be proven. However, the recognition of the cerebral origin of shyness consolidates the view that individual differences in social adaptation obey both biological and environmental factors. Shyness, far from being a simple character trait or a product of upbringing, arises from spontaneous neuronal activity in specific areas of the brain. This biological approach offers new alternatives and challenges for understanding social behaviour and developing effective therapies for people seeking to improve their interaction with their social environment.