<P> Another possible explanation for increased social inhibition has to do with biological factors . A study of brain activity in those who rate high on the scale for social inhibition showed a number of brain areas that are related to the heightened inhibitions . In their study the researchers aimed to find the link between socially inhibited individuals and an over activation of the cortical social brain network . The researchers did this by examining the brain activity of individuals who rate high in social inhibition as they respond to video clips of facial and bodily expressions that were potentially threatening . What the researchers found was that those who rate high in social inhibition show an overactive orbitofrontal cortex, left temporo - parietal junction, and right extrastriate body area . When the threat - related activity was being presented to the participants, these areas of the brain showed increased activity in comparison to those who do not rate high for social inhibition . What the researchers speculate is that, in this instance, hyperactivity in these brain structures does not mean better functioning . Further, "the orbitofrontal cortex is connected with areas that underlie emotional function and empathy". This relates to one's ability to stimulate how another person feels in their own facial displays . The over activity and decreased function of these brain structures can affect individuals by increasing social inhibition and behaviors related to social inhibition . </P> <P> Further, there is speculation that social inhibition can also be increased by the type of personality an individual has and behaviors that those individuals inherently display . Namely, those who are dependent and reassurance seeking are more commonly likely to display increased social inhibition . </P> <P> Although social inhibition can occur as part of ordinary social situations, a chronically high level of social inhibition may lead some individuals to develop other social or anxiety disorders that would also need to be handled clinically . Through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, clinical levels of social inhibition can be measured . Social inhibition can be a precursors for other social disorders that can develop in adolescence or adulthood . </P> <P> There are many implications for the diagnoses of social inhibition, however there are many cost - efficient ways to measure and treat this social disorder . One measure that has reliably assess the traits of social inhibition is the seven - item inhibition scale of the Type D Scale--14 . Another measure is the Behavioral Inhibition Observation System (BIOS). In clinical trials this measure is to be used for children completed by parents, teachers, and clinicians . Other scales are the Behavioral Inhibition Questionnaire (BIQ), Behavioral Inhibition Instrument (BII), the Behavioral Inhibition Scale (BIS), The Preschool Behavioral Inhibition Scale (P - BIS), and the Behavioral Inhibition Scale for children ages 3--6 . There are also many versions of these scales that are specifically for parents, teachers, or even the child or possibly an inhibited individual to take . There are also times when these measures are grouped together; in many cases the Behavioral Inhibition System scale and Behavioral Activation System scale are used together . These two measure are the most widely used and together they consist of behavioral inhibition and behavioral activation scales that deal with reward response and fun seeking . The Behavioral Paradigm System is an observation system that allows measurements of behavioral inhibition in systematic natural environments . With this system researchers will observe cessation of play and vocalization, long latencies to approaching the unfamiliar person, signs of fear and negative affect, and security seeking in environments such as classrooms, playgrounds, and in home settings . This paradigm was followed by many adaptations, one specifically was the adaptation of the Observational Paradigm . In an additional study by Ballespi and colleagues the paradigm was changed to be more suitable for a school environment . The adapted paradigm met three important criteria, the tests were suitable for a school environment, there had to be materials for the test that could be transported easily, and the observation of behavioral inhibition signs had to have the potential to be seen in a short period of time . </P>

The presence of too many individuals in an area