Final answer:
Individuals with more social fears linked to social phobia are likely to experience greater emotional distress, social impairment, and occupational difficulties. They may avoid anxiety-inducing situations, which can negatively impact their quality of life. Therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be an effective means of reducing the anxiety associated with social fears.
Step-by-step explanation:
The more social fears someone with social phobia has, the more likely they are to experience significant emotional distress and social impairment. Individuals with this condition may find social interactions extremely stressful and might go to great lengths to avoid situations that trigger their anxiety. This can lead to avoidance that impacts daily life and functioning, potentially leading to occupational impairment and a decreased quality of life, as noted in studies by Moitra et al. (2011) and Katzelnick et al. (2001).
Moreover, the research by Clauss and Blackford (2012) suggests that individuals with a propensity for behavioral inhibition have an increased risk for developing social anxiety disorder (SAD), and this risk is higher for those with more social fears. Social phobia can also be connected to substance use, as individuals may use alcohol as a coping mechanism to reduce their social anxiety, although this can lead to further complications, such as the development of alcohol use disorders (Morris et al., 2005).
For someone like Joe, who experiences anxiety about his unconscious urges and copes by reinforcing gender stereotypes and possibly engaging in bullying, therapy could help him address and reduce his overall anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, in particular, as mentioned in Hackmann, Clark, & McManus (2000), can be effective in treating social phobia by helping individuals reframe their thought patterns and reduce avoidance behaviors.