Understanding the reasons negative evaluation is feared by individuals with social anxiety

Individuals with higher levels of social anxiety, compared to those with lower social anxiety, exhibit greater fear of negative evaluation by others. However, the reasons underlying this fear of negative evaluation, and mechanisms of change underlying its response to treatment, are unclear. Dr Jillard’s thesis established that the experience of shame in response to negative evaluation was a key mechanism contributing to heightened fear of negative evaluation and its response to treatment. The clarification of this mechanism makes a valuable contribution to understanding of how cognitive behaviour therapy can be modified with new treatment targets.