| This study examined the relation between shyness and academic achievement. Previously, this relation was unexplored, or only examined through teacher rating scales. Participants were n=140 elementary school children (aged 9--12) attending public elementary schools (grades 4 to 6) in Atlantic Canada. Students completed a self-report assessment of shyness. Math and language ability were measured through a standardized achievement test as well as with teacher ratings. Also, teachers rated perceived student academic oriented behaviour. Shyness was related to teachers' ratings of math, teachers' ratings of reading and standardized math scores but not related to standardized reading comprehension scores. Academic oriented behaviour was found to be mediator of the relation between shyness and teacher rated achievement. This study found that shyness may be a risk factor for poorer academic achievement, particularly in math. However, these difficulties may be better explained by the academic oriented behaviour exhibited by shy students rather than shyness itself. |
