Abstract

The present comparative study intended to investigate the relationship between Shyness

and Social Interaction Anxiety among university students. The impact of demographic

variable including gender, semester study levels and birth order was also analyzed. The

sample (N = 100) comprised of female university students (n = 50) and male university

students (n = 50) of masters level with age ranged from 21 to 26 years. Sample was

approached using convenient sampling from Private and Government Universities of

Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Shyness Scale developed by Cheek and Melchlor (1985) was

used to measure Shyness and Social Interaction Anxiety Scale developed by Mattick &

Clarke (1998) was used to measure Social Interaction Anxiety. On present sample, the

Cronbach’s alpha reliability of Shyness Scale is .72 and the alpha reliability of Social

Interaction Anxiety scale is .88. Alpha reliabilities of both scales are satisfactory. The

data was analyzed using correlation, t-analysis and ANOVA. The results showed

significant positive correlation between Shyness and Social Interaction Anxiety Scales.

Non significant differences have obtained among males and females students on Shyness

Scale and significant difference has obtained among male and female students on Social

Interaction Anxiety Scale. The impact of semester levels and birth order has found to be

non significantly related with shyness and social interaction anxiety. The findings of the

study were interpreted in the light of Socio-cultural characteristics of the sample.