TYPOLOGICAL MEASURES OF SHYNESS - ADDITIVE, INTERACTIVE, AND CATEGORICAL

A typological model of shyness as neurotic-introversion has been sugge sted but never evaluated. We compared the ability of two direct measur es of trait-shyness (Revised Shyness scale, Social Anxiety scale) and two typological measures (additive and interactive versions of neuroti c-introversion) to predict peer-rated shyness and talk-time in leaderl ess groups. One hundred and twenty participants, initially unacquainte d, met in small weekly discussion groups. At weeks 2 and 7, participan ts rated their group members on current shyness and talk-time. The two direct-measures and the additive typological measure showed substanti al validities at both points in time. Although not as effective, Intro version was predictive at both times but Neuroticism only at Time 2. L ittle support was found for either the interactive or categorical meas ure. (C) 1998 Academic Press.