Shyness and the Electrical Activity of the Brain: On the Interplay between Theory and Method

The understanding of phenomena in any scientific field is dependent upon the interplay between theory and method. Over the last several decades, there have been significant theoretical and methodological advances in the field of neuroscience that informs personality science. In this chapter, we focus on how theoretical and methodological advances have contributed to our understanding of shyness and social withdrawal in particular. We describe a brain‐based model of approach‐avoidance that has served as a theoretical framework for our research program and evidence derived from electrocortical methods in support of this model. We also discuss future possibilities and caveats for the field.