Using the Implicit Association Test (IAT) to measure implicit shyness

Abstract

Previous research has shown that implicitly measured shyness predicted spontaneous shy behavior in social situations, while explicit self-ratings of shyness predicted controlled shy behavior (Asendorpf, Banse, & Mücke, 2002). The present study examined whether these same results would be replicated in Japan. In Study 1, college students (N=47) completed a shyness Implicit Association Test (IAT for shyness) and explicit self-ratings of shyness. In Study 2, friends (N=69) of the Study 1 participants rated those participants on various personality scales. Covariance structure analysis, revealed that only implicit selfconcept measured by the shyness IAT predicted other-rated high interpersonal tension (spontaneous shy behavior). Also, only explicit self-concept predicted other-rated low praise seeking (controlled shy behavior). The results of this study are similar to the findings of the previous research.Key words: shyness, Implicit Association Test, social desirability biases, implicit self-concept, covariance structure analysis.

Does Conventional Implicit Association Test of Shyness Measure “Self‐Shyness” or “Others‐Shyness”?

“…The correlation between explicit shyness on the self‐report scale and implicit shyness on the conventional IAT was weak, consistent with previous findings ( r = .12 in Aikawa & Fujii, ; r = .23 in Fujii, Sawaumi, & Aikawa, ). This is also true for the correlation between explicit shyness and implicit shyness on the self‐targeted ST‐IAT ( r = −.04 in Fujii, Sawaumi, & Aikawa, ).…”

“…We adopted a Japanese version of the Shyness IAT developed and validated in previous studies (Aikawa & Fujii, ; Fujii & Aikawa, ). It consisted of seven blocks, and in each block participants were instructed to respond as quickly and correctly as they could.…”

“…Each time participants made incorrect responses, a red X was displayed at the center until they hit the correct key. Stimulus words used in this study were the same as those reported in Aikawa and Fujii (). Specifically, five words were used for each category; all of these are presented in Table .…”

“…Aikawa and Fujii () created a Japanese version of the test and revealed the validity with a Japanese sample. Instead of recording shy behavior expressed by participants, such as that recorded in Asendorpf et al’s () study, peer assessments of shyness‐related behavior of the participants were investigated to show the predictive validity.…”

Subliminal Evaluative Conditioning Changed Implicit and Explicit Depressive Cognition

“…Many implicit concepts in various psychological research fields were revealed using by IAT. For example, there were personality aspect such as stereotype [7] and self-esteem, psychopathological aspect such as anxiety and spider phobia [8,9]. Also with respect to depression, several research investigated relationship between implicit self-esteem and depressed symptom.…”