This chapter describes how a cognitive perspective is of value in understanding some of the mechanisms that underlie these interrelated processes. A study by East investigated the theory that family experiences lead to enduring perceptions of interpersonal risks and benefits in early adolescents. In contrast, the majority of studies have investigated the importance of recalled childhood experiences in influencing the likelihood that a person will receive social support as an adult. Shyness, loneliness and social anxiety are extremely common, and in some cases social anxiety is so intense that the mere presence of other people leads to social withdrawal. Shy and lonely people tend to attribute interpersonal failures to internal, stable, and uncontrollable factors such as lack of social ability. Research on the family antecedents of perceived social support strongly suggests that, for some people, there will be deep-rooted barriers to the utilisation of existing resources.