1-193 - The A, B, C’s of Contemporary Research on Shyness and Social Withdrawal: Assessment, Biology, and Context

Session Type: Conversation Roundtable

Integrative Statement

Socially withdrawn children remove themselves from opportunities for social interaction with peers. Historically, such quiet, shy, and withdrawn children have been comparatively ignored by researchers, clinicians, and educators in favor of their more exuberant and aggressive counterparts. However, contemporary research has established that socially withdrawn children do indeed merit our attention, as they appear to be at heightened concurrent and predictive risk for a wide range of socio-emotional and school adjustment difficulties. Indeed, recent years have been witness to a multitude of advances in theory, methods, and research in the study of shyness, behavioral inhibition, and social withdrawal in childhood and adolescence. Notwithstanding, there remains substantive differential/competing opinions about the very “basics” (ABCs) of social withdrawal, including conceptualization and nomenclature, underlying developmental processes, and implications. Accordingly, this Roundtable we will explore these areas of continuing controversy in the contemporary research landscape, organized around the (ABC) themes of: Assessment (e.g., subtypes, measurement sources/discrepancies); Biology (e.g., genetics, temperament, psychophysiological underpinnings), and Context (e.g., peer group processes, benefits of solitude, cultural differences). This roundtable discussion features leading international researchers in the area of shyness, social withdrawal, and behavioral solitude. Each panelist will address one or two key questions pertaining to these broad themes. The Chair will facilitate the discussion between and among panelists and the audience, ensuring attention to both theoretical and applied issues and urging participants to address implications for future research.

Sub Unit

• Social Relationships

Moderator

• Robert J. Coplan, Carleton University

Panelists

• Julie C Bowker, University at Buffalo, SUNY

• Luc G Goossens, Catholic Univ of Leuven

• Louis A. Schmidt, McMaster University

• Yiyuan Xu, University of Hawaii at Manoa