Temperamental contributions to state expressions of shyness in children

Temperamental shyness and sociability are conceptually and empirically distinct constructs that correspond to social avoidance and approach motivations, respectively. Accordingly, individuals with relatively high co-occurring levels of temperamental shyness and sociability are thought to experience an approach-avoidance motivational conflict. We examined the interactive influence of temperamental shyness and sociability on state expressions of shyness in 152 (73 girls) typically-developing children (M age = 7.82 years, SD = 0.44). We coded state expressions of positive shyness (i.e., co-occurring gaze/head aversion and smiling) and non-positive shyness (i.e., gaze/head aversion without smiling) during a self-presentation task. Parents reported on children's temperamental shyness and sociability. Results revealed that temperamental sociability moderated the relation between temperamental shyness and expressions of positive shyness. Temperamental shyness was positively related to state expressions of positive shyness in children with high levels of sociability, but negatively related to state expressions of positive shyness in children with low levels of sociability. Since the interaction of temperamental shyness and sociability is presumed to reflect an approach-avoidance conflict, state expressions of positive shyness may reflect this psychological state. Individual differences in social approach motivations may differentiate the way temperamentally shy children express shyness during social encounters.