Shyness Scale (McCroskey)
Psychology: Personality1 sample item
About this scale
Shyness is a form of inhibition and discomfort in the presence of others (for a good overview, see Hopko et al., 2005). Shyness can be observed in children as young as 2 years old (Kagan et al., 1989), and there seems to be a clear biological basis for it (Kagan et al., 1988). The McCroskey Shyness Scale is a short 14 item survey. There are a number of other shyness scales as well, such as the Cheek and Buss scale (1979).
Sample item(s)
“Survey code includes 20 item lines. Open PsyToolkit to review wording and permissions.”
Notes
Psychology field scale. Check the PsyToolkit page and original paper for use rights before fielding.
Source & citation
McCroskey, J. C., & Richmond, V. P. (1982). Communication apprehension and shyness: Conceptual and operational distinctions. Central States Speech Journal, 33 , 458-468. | Scale and scoring can be retrieved from McCroskey's website. | Kagan, J., Reznick, J.S., Snidman, N. (1988). Biological basis of childhood shyness. Science, 240 (4849) , 167-171 | Kagan, J., Reznick, J.S., Gibbons, J. (1989). Inhibited and Uninhibited Types of Children. Child Development, 60 , 838-845. | Cheek, J. and Buss, A.H. (1979). Scales of Shyness, Sociability, and Self-Esteem and Correlations Among Them, unpublished research report, University of Texas. Note: This report is often cited. | Hopko, D.R., Stowell, J., Jones, W.H., Armento, M.E.A. and Cheek, J.M. (2005). Journal of Personality Assessment, 84 , 185-192. | Interesting paper about loneliness and shyness
Source. Scale details are summarised from the publication cited above. Always consult the original source for the full item set, scoring, and permission to use.
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