Quiz: Are you too self-conscious?

Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Quiz: Are you too self-conscious?
Image: Kevin Dodge/Blend Images/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Some people can laugh off a potential faux paus, while others dwell on it for days -- or even years. How self-conscious do you feel -- and what's normal? Test your knowledge and learn how to combat self-consciousness with this quiz.
You're single and chatting with a group of coworkers at lunch when one of them asks why you've never been married. What do you do?
excuse oneself from the table
go red in the face or tear up a little
deflect the question and refocus the attention of the group on a different topic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When a group of people suddenly turn their attention on you, it's normal to feel like you're in the spotlight. How you handle it, however, says a lot about how self-conscious you are. In this case, deflecting the question and refocusing the group is key to regaining your comfort.

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You're dining in an expensive restaurant and return from the restroom, getting all the way back to your table before you realize that there's a piece of toilet paper stuck to the bottom of your shoe. You:
decide to never return
quickly fix the problem, share a sheepish smile with anyone who's noticed and then enjoy your dinner
get flustered and snap at the waiter to cover your embarrassment
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Embarrassing things happen. But if you dwell on these events, you'll begin to feel ashamed and even more embarrassed. The key to a healthy level of self-consciousness is to briefly acknowledge an embarrassing event and then move on.

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You're attending a stand-up comedy event with friends, but when the comedian begins to make fun of your shirt, you:
just slump down in your seat and then skulk out during intermission
laugh good-naturedly, knowing it's all part of the act
snipe back at the comedian by heckling
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When all eyes are on you, your body may react physically as though you're in danger, preparing you for flight or fight. But you don't have to do either. Take the situation in stride: Instead of focusing on yourself (and your potential shortcomings), put it out of your head and listen to the next joke.

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You've spent weeks preparing a presentation for a new client but just before it's time to begin, you can't remember your opening lines. You:
make everyone wait while you retrieve your notes
cancel the presentation
ad-lib in a personable way until you get to the meat of the presentation
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You know the material -- which is the part of the presentation that the client is interested in -- even if you've forgotten your clever opener. If you share your knowledge, it will take the focus off of you and help ease your self-consciousness.

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You've arrived at the beach with friends, but when it's time to get in the water, you're suddenly panicked about revealing how you look in your swimsuit. You:
go back to your car and leave, pretending to be ill
decide no one is perfect and have fun with your friends
stay fully clothed, even though it makes you sweaty and miserable
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

No one's perfect, least of all while wearing a swimsuit. Instead of spiraling into negative self-talk, distract yourself with a conversation, book or game. It will get your mind off your own insecurities. Scoring guide: If you answered four or five questions correctly, you're really self-confident -- good for you! If you answered two or three correctly, you let your self-consciousness get the better of you sometimes -- but then, most people do. If you answered one or none correctly, you're too self-conscious for your own good -- and reading that probably just made you feel more self-conscious. But don't worry about it: Learning about anxiety can help you cope with it. Start with the next question.

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True or false: Being self-conscious is always a negative thing.
TRUE
FALSE
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The feeling of being self-conscious is actually tied to socialization, a skill that's central to human survival.

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How can being self-conscious help you be a better listener?
It makes you more empathetic.
You are not easily frustrated.
It has no relation to interacting with others.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

People who are more self-conscious are often able to empathize with others, which can include being able to lend an ear.

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When you feel self-conscious, your focus is on what?
the people around you
the floor
yourself
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

People who feel self-conscious are focusing on themselves; sometimes this focus can become prolonged and lead to ongoing self-consciousness.

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What physical reaction goes hand in hand with feeling self-conscious?
a rush of adrenaline
the urge to crack your knuckles
a yawn
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A surge of self-consciousness can create a physical reaction as your body prepares for fight or flight with a rush of adrenaline.

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Which of the following behaviors could help you ease your self-consciousness?
spending more time alone
planning ahead to be on time
doing crossword puzzles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Being more organized and planning ahead can help you avoid stressful situations that bring on self-consciousness, like running late all the time. (If your self-consciousness is what's making you late in the first place -- say, by leading you to be indecisive about your outfit -- try giving yourself way more time than you think you need to get ready.)

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Which emotions are part and parcel of being self-conscious?
embarrassment, pride and guilt
joy, happiness and laughter
anger, hopelessness and expectancy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Feelings of embarrassment, pride and guilt are all part of feeling self-conscious. Thinking about what spurs those emotions in you can help you combat them.

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What role do other people play when someone feels self-conscious?
There is no link between a person's feelings of self-consciousness and other people.
The self-conscious person is reacting to what they imagine other people's reactions will be.
They point and laugh.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When someone feels self-conscious, he's imagining the thoughts and reactions of those around him. Remember that you can't know what someone else is thinking, and that most people aren't as aware of you as you're aware of yourself -- and that you may be your own harshest critic.

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Which of the following is often the first step in combating self-consciousness?
an understanding and awareness of the problem
volunteering to join a speakers' bureau
getting a new hairstyle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For many people, the first step in easing extreme self-consciousness is gaining an understanding and awareness of the problem.

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How can cognitive-behavioral therapy help ease self-consciousness?
examine past actions in great detail
change the focus to present (and positive) behaviors
it has no impact
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Professionally guided cognitive-behavioral therapy can help people who are self-conscious focus on their present (and positive) behaviors instead of dwelling on past mistakes.

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Which of the following is a behavioral symptom of feeling self-conscious?
always bringing a friend, wherever you go
vacationing alone
frequenting online dating sites
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Always bringing along a friend for comfort is one symptom of self-consciousness.

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What is one way to help combat extreme self-consciousness?
Play more board games.
Learn to control your breath.
Avoid public speaking.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Learning to control your breathing could help combat self-consciousness because it can keep you calm in stressful situations.

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If you feel self-conscious in social situations, what should you do?
face your fears
avoid social situations
avoid strangers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

By facing your fears and becoming more involved in social situations, you will eventually temper your self-consciousness with confidence gained from positive experiences.

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What should you avoid eating or drinking if you typically feel self-conscious?
red meat and spinach
coffee and chocolate
fruit juice and herbal tea
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Caffeine from things like coffee and chocolate can increase anxiety symptoms.

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How can an adequate night's sleep help combat self-consciousness?
You can sleep to avoid stressful situations.
When you are well-rested, you feel less anxious.
It makes you more receptive to new ideas.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you get a good night's sleep, you are not as vulnerable to anxiety and feeling self-conscious.

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Is there help for feeling self-conscious?
Yes, there are lots of ways to lessen self-consciousness.
Only for people who have other emotional issues, like depression.
No, it's a genetic trait.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you would like to feel less self-conscious, there are plenty of options for getting help, ranging from self-help books to social skills classes to behavioral therapy. The first step is deciding that you want to make a change.

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You Got:
/20
Kevin Dodge/Blend Images/Getty Images