INTROVERSION/EXTRAVERSION

Dimensions of Personality

Kathleen Ames-OliverUniversity Of KansasHR - Learning & Development

Trait Theories of PersonalityMeasuring Introversion -

Extraversion

Jung’s Type TheoryMyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

Five Factor Model (FFM) D.W.Fiske (1949)International Personality Item Pool (IPIP-NEO)

Eysenck Trait TheoryEysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ)

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

Based on Swiss psychologist Carl Jung’s “Type” Theory (1920s)

Behavior is individual and predictable Developed by Katherine Briggs (mother)

and Isabel Myers (daughter) (1940s) 40+ years of research Most widely used personality indicator in

the world Approximately 1 to 3 million people are

administered the MBTI each year

MBTI Preference Scales

Extraversion ------------ Introversion

Sensing ------------ INtuition

Thinking ------------ Feeling

Judgment ------------ Perception

MBTI

Introversion refers to a tendency to prefer the world inside oneself.  The more obvious features of introversion are reserve, distaste for social functions, and a love of privacy.

Extraversion is the tendency to look to the outside world, particularly people, for one's pleasures.  Extraverts are generally sociable and they enjoy social activities, but they don't like to be alone.

Five-factor model (FFM)

One of the more prominent models in contemporary psychology is what is known as the five-factor model of personality.

The five-factor model of personality is a hierarchical organization of personality traits in terms of five basic dimensions: Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness to Experience

The five-factor model of personality

The five-factor model of personality is a hierarchical organization of personality traits in terms of five basic dimensions: conscientiousness agreeableness neuroticism openness extroversion-introversion

Costa, P. T. & McCrae, R. R. (1995). Psychological Bulletin, Vol 117(2), Mar 1995.

pp. 216-220.

Five Factor Extraversion - Introversion

Extraversion is defined as a trait characterized by a broad disposition to experience positive affects to seek out and enjoy social experiences, and to have the energy to pursue goals and be engaged in life's tasks

Introversion (low in E) is described as quiet, reserved, retiring, shy, silent, withdrawn, with emotional blandness and over-control of impulses.

Hans Eysenck (1916-1998)

Eysenck focused on normal and pathological populations.

He felt that many traits are biologically based and were shaped by evolutionary forces (e.g., extraversion, neuroticism).

He used factor analysis to identify traits.

Eysenck’s Trait Theory

Extraversion (- Introversion).

Neuroticism.

Psychoticism.

Eysenck's Three Personality Factors:

Extraversion -Introversion

Extraversion - Introversion:

Introversion: tendermindedness; introspectiveness; seriousness; performance interfered with by excitement; easily aroused but restrained, inhibited; preference for solitary vocations; sensitivity to pain.

Extraversion: toughmindedness; impulsiveness; tendency to be outgoing; desire for novelty; performance enhanced by excitement; preference for vocations involving contact with other people; tolerance for pain.

Extraversion-Introversion

Measured by Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ)

High extraversion: Talkative, outgoing, likes meeting new people and going to new places, active, bored easily, hates routine

Low extraversion: Quiet, withdrawn, prefers being alone or with a few friends to large crowds, prefers routines, prefers familiar to unexpected

Extraversion-Introversion

Eysenck’s theory Introverts have a higher level than

extraverts of activity in the brain’s ascending reticular activating system (ARAS)

People strive to keep ARAS activity at optimal level—introverts work to decrease and avoid stimulation; extraverts work to increase and seek out stimulation

Extraversion-Introversion

Eysenck’s theory Research indicates that introverts and

extraverts are NOT different at resting levels, but introverts ARE more reactive to moderate levels of stimulation than extraverts

This work led Eysenck to revise his theory—the difference between introverts and extraverts lies in arousability, not in baseline arousal

Extraversion-Introversion

Eysenck’s theory When given a choice, extraverts prefer

higher levels of stimulation than introverts Geen (1984): Introverts and extraverts

choose different levels of stimulation, but equivalent in arousal under chosen stimulation

Extraversion-Introversion

Eysenck’s theory Introverts and extraverts perform task best

under their chosen stimulation level, poor when performing under a stimulation level chosen by the other group

Western countries show a preference for Extraversion.

Eastern countries show a preference for Introversion.

United States has a strong preference for Extraversion.

The Culture Variable

McCrea’s Map

16% Extravert

68% Ambivert

16% Introvert

Ambivert?

Resources

Five Factor Personality Testhttp://www.personalitytest.org.uk/

Eysenck Personality Test http://xestia.net/tests/epq.php

MBTIhttp://www.capt.org/take-mbti-assessment/contact.htm

http://personalitypage.com/

Resources

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking (Susan Cain)

The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extraverted World (Marti Olsen Laney)

Do What You Are (Barbara Barron-Tieger & Paul Tieger)

Life Types (Sandra Hirsh & Jean Kummerow)

The Biological Basis of Personality (H.J. Eysenck)

The Owner's Manual for Personality at Work: How the Big Five Personality Traits Affect Your Performance, Communication, Teamwork, Leadership, and Sales (Pierce J. Howard )

The Introvert Advantage Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWeM59f0lfo&feature=related