The Science Of Why You're So Awkward

You just clicked on this post. That means you're either curious or painfully uncomfortable to be around. If you happen to be the latter, don't worry! Science can help us out with our awkward struggles, including:

Awkward silence (like when no one answers the teacher's question)

Awkward commentary (saying the wrong thing during a class presentation)

Awkward positions (tripping in the hallway between classes)

These are three completely different things that can all make you want to live in a cave and never see another student again.

Fun Fact: Awkwardness Hurts (Literally)

Did you know that feeling awkward can actually hurt? A study from the University of Michigan found that physical pain and intense feelings of awkwardness activate the same part of the brain. So stubbing your toe and accidentally liking your crush's Instagram photo from 2013 hurt in the same way. Mind blown, right?

Awkward Situations: The Handshake Dilemma

Picture this: You go in for a handshake with your friend, but you both use different methods. Fist bump meets high five. Cringe. After something like this, most people will openly show embarrassment. But here's the twist – that's actually a good thing! It shows you understand smooth social exchanges, and that your failed handshake wasn't one of them.

Pro tip: The worst thing you can do is be awkward without showing you feel awkward. Research says if you have little to no reaction to an uncomfortable situation, people see you as less trustworthy. So don't be afraid to laugh it off when you mess up!

The Three Traits of Awkwardness

Some of us are just walking balls of awkward. If that's you, don't stress! There are three main traits that might be making you feel awkward:

Hands: What do you do with these ten little sausages? Keep your body open:

When speaking: Palms up, move them to emphasize points

When listening: Avoid pockets or folded arms

Sitting options: Hands behind head, chin-hand combo, or armrest position

Standing options: Hands behind back, on hips, or just at your sides

Eye Contact: The 80/20 rule is decent (80% eye contact, 20% looking away), but it's not perfect for every situation. For example, if someone's already feeling awkward, constant eye contact can make things worse. Read the room!

Personal Space: Respect the bubble! In our society, violating personal space is a big no-no. Stay 12-18 inches away at least, unless you're side-by-side. Fun fact: Our personal bubbles are more oval-shaped, extending further in front than to the sides.

Is There a Way to Measure Awkwardness?

According to a PhD in awkwardness (yes, that's a thing), there might be! He suggests using the autism spectrum inventory:

26 points is required for a diagnosis

The average person scores around 16

Anything between 16 and 26 might be perceived as "awkward"

This theory suggests that awkwardness is really just social inconsistency. But remember, sometimes people just get nervous in social situations, and that nervousness can cause awkwardness.

Dealing with Social Anxiety

If you're dealing with social anxiety (which can lead to awkwardness), the National Library of Medicine says the most effective treatment is exposure. That's right – the best way to become less scared of social interaction is by willingly going out and being scared and awkward. It's like exposure therapy for your social skills!

Here's a tip for my socially anxious friends:

Focus less on yourself and more on the other person. Be genuinely interested in what they have to say. Ask questions, get them to expand on topics, learn about their interests (like their dog named Julius). Through practice, things will start to come naturally, and you'll emerge from your awkward cocoon as a social butterfly!

Conclusion

Remember, we're all a little awkward sometimes. It's part of being human (and especially part of being a student). The next time you feel uncomfortable in a social situation, remember these tips and know you're not alone. We're all just trying to figure out this whole "human interaction" thing together.

Now go forth and be confidently awkward! If you find this post helpful, don't forget to like and comment.

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