Cited by 1,577Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Biological Bases of Childhood Shyness

Kagan, Jerome, Reznick, J. Steven, Snidman, Nancy·1988·Science

Abstract

The initial behavioral reaction to unfamiliar events is a distinctive source of intraspecific variation in humans and other animals. Two longitudinal studies of 2-year-old children who were extreme in the display of either behavioral restraint or spontaneity in unfamiliar contexts revealed that by 7 years of age a majority of the restrained group were quiet and socially avoidant with unfamiliar children and adults whereas a majority of the more spontaneous children were talkative and interactive. The group differences in peripheral physiological reactions suggest that inherited variation in the threshold of arousal in selected limbic sites may contribute to shyness in childhood and even extreme degrees of social avoidance in adults.

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Crossref · 10.1126/science.3353713

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  • Early-life temperament is embodied in the intrinsic activity of the brain, not just in differences in neural reactivity to trait-relevant cues.

    “the present study provides unique evidence that early-life temperament does not just reflect differences in neural reactivity to trait-relevant cues (e.g., the amygdala's threshold to respond or peak response to threat2, 73), but is also embodied in the intrinsic activity of the brain.”

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Authors
Kagan, J., Reznick, J. S., & Snidman, N.
Affiliations
  • Harvard University (US)
  • Yale University (US)
Venue
Science
Published
1988-04-08
Volume
240
Issue
4849
Pages
167-171
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W2081281959
Cited by
1,577
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 38 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 44 · 2016: 37 · 2015: 37 · 2014: 45 · 2013: 53 · 2012: 54
FWCI
44.21
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (MH40691)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
childhood shyness, social avoidance, behavioral restraint, spontaneity, temperament, limbic system, arousal threshold, heritability, longitudinal development
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Child, Preschool, Heart Rate, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Muscles, Norepinephrine, Saliva, Shyness, Sympathetic Nervous System

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