Final answer:
Timid and self-denying behaviors are psychological tendencies to avoid conflict and please others, which can manifest in young actors as a recoil from authentic expression and as a broader social phenomenon in submission to authority and loss of self-respect.
Step-by-step explanation:
Timid and self-denying behavior represents a psychological state where an individual may exhibit a lack of confidence or assertiveness, often refraining from personal desire or the pursuit of self in order to avoid conflict or please others. This can be seen in various scenarios, including within the performance arts. For example, young actors may experience a moment of fear or desire to recoil when a feeling or action feels risky, exposing their vulnerability or true feelings, which in the context of acting, translates to the authenticity of the character they are portraying.
Furthermore, self-denying behavior, such as that described in a situation where someone is counseled to silently submit to civic inferiority, can erode self-respect and diminish a sense of individual or collective identity over time. It can result in changing behavior to please an authority figure or to avoid negative consequences, sometimes leading to a suppression of critical thinking in favor of group cohesion, which can facilitate poor decision-making. The overarching theme is the tendency to prioritize others over the self, which can have adverse effects on an individual's psychological well-being and decision-making capabilities.