New research from Israel's Bar-Ilan University suggests that individuals with high social anxiety may experience reduced stress and improved performance in social situations if they believe first impressions are difficult to change. This finding contrasts with the traditional psychological assumption that a malleable impression mindset is always beneficial. The study indicates that for those with social anxiety, the belief in fixed impressions can make social interactions feel more predictable and less mentally taxing, contrary to the pressure that a changeable impression mindset might impose.