A Descriptive Study of the Similitude That Exists Between Shyness, Generalized Social Phobia, and Avoidant Personality Disorder

Date of Graduation

Spring 1996

Degree

Master of Science in Counseling

Department

Counseling, Leadership, and Special Education

Committee Chair

Paul Enochs

Abstract

This study investigated the absence of distinct boundaries and the conceptual similarities of generalized social phobia (GSP), avoidant personality disorder (APD), and shyness. Past research on GSP and APD, conducted by Herbert, J.D., Hope, D.A., and Bellack, A.S. (1992; Holt, C.S., Heimberg, R.G., and Hope, D.A. (1992); and Turner, S.M., Beidel, D.C., and Townsley, R.M. (1990), was compared with research conducted on a group of shy college students. When examining social anxiety, fear of negative evaluation, and avoidant behaviors, the data supported the generalization that shyness, GSP, and APD appear to be overlapping constructs that have only minor differences with respect to severity of dysfunction.

Subject Categories

Counseling

Copyright

© Beverly Diane Austin

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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