The 2 × 2 model of shyness and sociability: A methodological review and suggestions tested in an example study

Abstract

The 2 × 2 model of shyness and sociability is a widely accepted theoretical framework, but to date has not been examined using both adequate measures and appropriate statistical approaches. Therefore, we first review existing literature on the model, outline limitations of previous approaches, and present methodological suggestions on how to adequately test it. Second, by means of an example study with 206 adolescents, we provide support for a revised measure assessing social approach and social avoidance motivation as the two main dimensions of the model. Moreover, when testing the model with hierarchical regression analyses, we could partially replicate previous findings, but also found conflicting results. For instance, when compared to the avoidant-shy subtype (AS; i.e., the combination of low approach and high avoidance), the sociable subtype (SO; i.e., high approach and low avoidance) turned out to be more adaptive in all outcomes (i.e., positive and negative affect, emotional problems, peer problems, conduct problems, oral participation) except for prosocial behavior and nonverbal attentiveness. Furthermore, the comparison of SO to the conflicted-shy subtype (CS; i.e., both high approach and avoidance) and unsociable subtype (UN; i.e., both low approach and avoidance) illustrates that which subtype is more adaptive depends on the outcome.