Distinguishing shyness from fearful avoidant attachment: The investment model in dating relationships

Shyness is an aspect of social avoidance, where one desires social contact, but avoids social situations because of the anxiety that accompanies that contact. In terms of one's attachment style, a person high in both anxiety and avoidance is referred to as having a fearfully avoidant style. These individuals experience discomfort with intimacy and tend to avoid close relationships. Previous research has emphasized the similarity of shyness and fearful avoidant attachment. My study examined an apparent contradiction: attachment styles high in avoidance appear to be related to lower relationship investment; however, shy people appear to be highly invested in seeking acceptance. This contradiction was examined using Rusbult's (1983) Investment Model, which states that dependence on one's relationship is greater when one wants to be in the relationship (i.e., they are highly satisfied) and perceives their alternatives to the relationship are poor. Investment size (the importance of the relationship-attached resources), and commitment level (intent to remain in the relationship) are also important to one's dependence. Two-hundred and forty-eight introductory psychology students in ongoing dating relationships were recruited. Specifically, shy people were expected to be committed but less satisfied than non-shy people. However, my results indicated only that shy people perceived fewer alternatives to their relationship. Individuals who are fearfully avoidant were expected, and found, to report both low commitment and satisfaction. Shyness was also found to explain an amount of variance in perception of alternatives that was not explained by attachment styles. The differences between shy people and fearfully attached people are evidence that these are more distinct constructs than previously thought. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.