Extraversion

Extraversion refers to preferences for social interaction, lively activity, and engagement with the external world.


Facets

The below facets represent sub-constructs of the overall trait Extraversion.

Activity Level
Activity level refers to vigorous movement, staying busy, and sense of energy and forcefulness.
Assertiveness
Assertiveness is the tendency to be dominant, forceful, socially ascendant; easily able to take charge, lead, and express one's feelings and needs.
Cheerfulness
Cheerfulness is the tendency to experience positive moods, feelings, and emotions (e.g., joy, delight, zest).
Excitement Seeking
Excitement Seeking is the tendency for craving excitement, risk, and adventure; seeking out intense and stimulating environments.
Friendliness
Friendliness is reflective of being affectionate, friendly, cordial, and an intimately involved style of personal interaction.
Gregariousness
Gregariousness reflects a preference for other people’s company and social stimulation.


Related Social Outcomes

Over the last 100 years, there has been a growing body of academic research dedicated to defining and understanding human personality and how differences among personalities are related to important social constructs. A good summary of this research is provided by Ozer & Benet (2006). This section is meant to provide a summary of how the trait scores from this test relate to a curated selection of some of the most well defined personality relationships to social outcomes. The information below is divided into three categories of outcomes, based on the level of social impact: individual, interpersonal, and social-institutional.

Individual Outcomes

Coping

Social Impact Level

Individual

Relationship with Extraversion

Coping is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

Coping refers to the ability to overcome a stressful situation. Strategies that are commonly used to cope include: distraction, redefinition, direct action, catharsis, acceptance, social support, relaxation, and religion.

Representative Findings

David & Suls (1999) found a significant relationship between higher scores in extraversion and coping ability (p < .05; overall number of strategies used and use of the specific strategy of redefinition).

Depression

Social Impact Level

Individual

Relationship with Extraversion

Depression is negatively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

Major depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.

Representative Findings

Trull & Sher (1994) found a significant relationship between lower scores in Extraversion and Axis I major depression (p < .01)

Existential well-being

Social Impact Level

Individual

Relationship with Extraversion

Existential well-being is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

Existential Well-Being is a construct that reflects an individuals sense of meaning, purpose, and resilience.

Representative Findings

In a study of 993 undergraduates, Macdonald (2000) demonstrate a correlation of .32 between Existential Well-Being and Extraversion (p < .001).

Gratitude

Social Impact Level

Individual

Relationship with Extraversion

Gratitude is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

Gratitude is a general tendency to recognize and respond with grateful emotion when experiencing positive outcomes that are attributable to the benevolence of others.

Representative Findings

McCullough et al. (2002) found a significant positive correlation (.18, p < .05) between trait gratitude and extraversion.

Inspiration

Social Impact Level

Individual

Relationship with Extraversion

Inspiration is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

Inspiration refers to the process of being mentally stimulated to do something and may involve the following characteristics: transcendence (larger than normal concerns), evocation (unwilled), and motivation (desire to make manifest) (Thrash & Elliott, 2004).

Representative Findings

Thrash & Elliot (2004) found a significant positive relationship (p < .001) between higher scores in Extraversion and Inspiration.

Majority-culture identification (for minorities)

Social Impact Level

Individual

Relationship with Extraversion

Majority-culture identification (for minorities) is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

Cultural identification refers to an individuals sense of belonging to a certain cultural group (e.g., Canadian, American, or Chinese).

Representative Findings

In a group of ~160 graduate students with Chinese ancestry, Ryder et al. (2000) found a significant positive relationship between scores in Extraversion and higher degree of identification with mainstream culture (p < .01).

Subjective well-being

Social Impact Level

Individual

Relationship with Extraversion

Subjective well-being is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

Subjective Well-Being is a construct that reflects an individuals overall evaluation on the quality or their life from their own perspective.

Representative Findings

See Diener & Lucas (2015) for an overview; the Steel, P., Schmidt, J., & Shultz, J. (2008) meta-analysis demonstrate correlations between .30 and .50 depending on the facet of subjective well-being (SWB) measured. In a metanalysis of more than 140 studies, DeNeve & Cooper (1998) found a positive correlation between SWB and Extraversion of .17.

Verbal Fluency

Social Impact Level

Individual

Relationship with Extraversion

Verbal Fluency is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

Verbal fluency is the ability to produce correct examples from a specific category. It is a cognitive task that relies on verbal knowledge, inhibition of similar words from a different semantic category, and tracking / memory of words that have already been produced.

Representative Findings

In a meta-analysis of 10 studies with combined participation of over 80,000 participants, Sutin et al. (2019) found that extraversion is positively related to verbal fluency (p < .001)



Interpersonal Outcomes

Attractiveness

Social Impact Level

Interpersonal

Relationship with Extraversion

Attractiveness is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

Attractiveness is the quality of being appealing and arouse interest from others.

Representative Findings

Anderson et al. (2001) found significant positive correlations (average correlations between .36 and .47; p < .05) between Extraversion and attractiveness among college students.

Dating variety

Social Impact Level

Interpersonal

Relationship with Extraversion

Dating variety is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

Dating variety refers to the number of different people dated (going out on a social or romantic engagement with someone) over a period of time.

Representative Findings

In a study of hundereds of university students, Paunonen (2003) found a significant positive relationship (p < .01) between scores on measures extraversion and higher data variety (larger number of dates with different people in the last year).

Peer status

Social Impact Level

Interpersonal

Relationship with Extraversion

Peer status is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

Peer status refers to relationships within a peer group network using measures such as peer acceptance (one peer nominates another as a friend) and friendship (two peers nominate each other as friends). Status often refers to differences in prominence, respect, and influence among members of a group.

Representative Findings

Anderson et al. (2001) found significant positive correlations over time between Extraversion and peer status among male (p< .01) and female (p < .05) college students.

Peers acceptance and friendship

Social Impact Level

Interpersonal

Relationship with Extraversion

Peers acceptance and friendship is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

Peer acceptance refers to relationships within a peer group network where one peer positively acknowledges another (e.g., nominates another person as a friend).

Representative Findings

In a study of over 200 fifth and sixth grade students, Jensen-Campbell et al. (2002), found a significant positive relationship between scores on extraversion and peer acceptance (p < .01).

Romantic satisfaction

Social Impact Level

Interpersonal

Relationship with Extraversion

Romantic satisfaction is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

Romantic satisfaction refers to married partners evaluations of the romantic relationship.

Representative Findings

In a study of 74 married and 136 dating couples, Watson (2000) found significant positive relationship between extraversion and relationship satisfaction (p < .01), but only for married couples.



Social-Institutional Outcomes

Enterprising occupational interests

Social Impact Level

Social-Institutional

Relationship with Extraversion

Enterprising occupational interests is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

According to Hollands RIASEC model, Social occupational interests include persuading, manipulating, or directing others (Holland, 1996).

Representative Findings

Larson et al. (2002) and Barrick et al. (2003) both find meta-analytic evidence to suggest that those who score high on Extraversion are likely to express interest in Enterprising occupations.

Leadership

Social Impact Level

Social-Institutional

Relationship with Extraversion

Leadership is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

Leadership behavior involves inspiring the support of followers to cooperate and take action.

Representative Findings

Among a group of 316 potential community leaders, Judge & Bono (2000) found a significant correlation between Extraversion and higher scores of transformational leadership (p < .01).

Occupational commitment

Social Impact Level

Social-Institutional

Relationship with Extraversion

Occupational commitment is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

The psychological and emotional attachment an individual feels to an occupation.

Representative Findings

Thoresen et al. (2003) found meta-analytic evidence of a strong positive relationship between extraversion and organizational commitment.

Job satisfaction

Social Impact Level

Social-Institutional

Relationship with Extraversion

Job satisfaction is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

Job satisfaction refers to a pleasurable or positive emotional state resulting from the appraisal of ones job / work experiences.

Representative Findings

Thoresen et al. (2003) found meta-analytic evidence of a strong positive relationship between extraversion and job satisfaction.

Social occupational interests

Social Impact Level

Social-Institutional

Relationship with Extraversion

Social occupational interests is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

According to Hollands RIASEC model, Social occupational interests include helping, teaching, treating, counseling, or serving others through personal interaction (Holland, 1996).

Representative Findings

Larson et al. (2002) and Barrick et al. (2003) both find meta-analytic evidence to suggest that those who score high on Extraversion are likely to express interest in Social occupations.

Volunteerism

Social Impact Level

Social-Institutional

Relationship with Extraversion

Volunteerism is positively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

Volunteerism involves planned prosocial behavior benefitting strangers.

Representative Findings

In a study of ~800 college students, Carlo et al. (2005) found a significant correlation between higher scores in extraversion and self-reported volunteer behavior (p < .01). In an online survey of 1,100 people, Penner (2002) found a similar relationship between volunteerism and helpfulness (p < .001) which is strongly associated with Extraversion.

Adhere to Shelter in Place Policy

Social Impact Level

Social-Institutional

Relationship with Extraversion

Adhere to Shelter in Place Policy is negatively correlated with Extraversion

Definition

In the context of a pandemic health crisis, sheltering in place refers to the act of adhering to publich health guidelines to stay at a primary residence, avoiding travel and other public settings as much as possible.

Representative Findings

In a study of over 100,000 participants, controlling for socioeconomic factors, G?tz et al. (2020), found conscientiousness to be positively associated with sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < .001).



References

Anderson, C., John, O. P., Keltner, D., & Kring, A. M. (2001). Who attains social status? Effects of personality and physical attractiveness in social groups. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81(1), 116-132. http://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.81.1.116

Barrick, M. R., Mount, M. K., & Gupta, R. (2003). Meta-analysis of the relationship between the five-factor model of personality and Holland's occupational types. Personnel Psychology, 56(1), 45-74. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2003.tb00143.x

Carlo, G., Okun, M. A., Knight, G. P., & de Guzman, M. R. T. (2005). The interplay of traits and motives on volunteering: Agreeableness, extraversion and prosocial value motivation. Personality and Individual Differences, 38(6), 1293-1305. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2004.08.012

David, J. P., & Suls, J. (1999). Coping efforts in daily life: Role of Big Five traits and problem appraisals. Journal of Personality, 67(2), 265–294. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6494.00056

Fredrickson, B. L., & Joiner, T. (2002). Positive Emotions Trigger Upward Spirals Toward Emotional Well-Being. Psychological Science, 13(2), 172–175. http://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9280.00431

Jensen-Campbell, L. A., Adams, R., Perry, D. G., Workman, K. A., Furdella, J. Q., & Egan, S. K. (2002). Agreeableness, extraversion, and peer relations in early adolescence: Winning friends and deflecting aggression. Journal of Research in Personality, 36(3), 224-251. http://doi.org/10.1006/jrpe.2002.2348

Judge, T. A., & Bono, J. E. (2000). Five-factor model of personality and transformational leadership. Journal of Applied Psychology, 85(5), 751-765. http://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.85.5.751

Larson, L. M., Rottinghaus, P. J., & Borgen, F. H. (2002). Meta-analyses of Big Six interests and Big Five personality factors. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 61(2), 217-239. http://doi.org/10.1006/jvbe.2001.1854

Lucas, R. E., & Diener, E. (2015). Personality and subjective well-being: Current issues and controversies. In M. Mikulincer, P. R. Shaver, M. L. Cooper, & R. J. Larsen (Eds.), APA handbook of personality and social psychology, Volume 4: Personality processes and individual differences (pp. 577–599). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14343-026

MacDonald, D. A. (2000), Spirituality: Description, Measurement, and Relation to the Five Factor Model of Personality. Journal of Personality, 68: 153-197. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6494.t01-1-00094

McCullough, M. E., Emmons, R. A., & Tsang, J.-A. (2002). The grateful disposition: A conceptual and empirical topography. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82(1), 112-127. http://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.82.1.112

Ozer, Daniel & Benet, Veronica. (2006). Personality and the Prediction of Consequential Outcomes. Annual Review of Psychology. 57. 401-21. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.57.102904.190127

Paunonen, S. V. (2003). Big Five factors of personality and replicated predictions of behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 411-424. http://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.411

Penner, L. A. (2002). Dispositional and organizational influences on sustained volunteerism: An interactionist perspective. Journal of Social Issues, 58(3), 447-467. http://doi.org/10.1111/1540-4560.00270

Riggio, R. E., Widaman, K. F., Tucker, J. S., & Salinas, C. (1991). Beauty is more than skin deep: Components of attractiveness. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 12(4), 423–439. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324834basp1204_4

Ryder, A.G., Alden, L.E., & Paulhus, D.L. (2000). Is acculturation unidimensional or bidimensional? A head-to-head comparison in the prediction of personality, self-identity, and adjustment. Journal of personality and social psychology, 79 1, 49-65 . https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.79.1.49

Sutin, A. R., Stephan, Y., Damian, R. I., Luchetti, M., Strickhouser, J. E., & Terracciano, A. (2019). Five-factor model personality traits and verbal fluency in 10 cohorts. Psychology and Aging, 34(3), 362-373. http://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000351

Thoresen, C. J., Kaplan, S. A., Barsky, A. P., Warren, C. R., & de Chermont, K. (2003). The Affective Underpinnings of Job Perceptions and Attitudes: A Meta-Analytic Review and Integration. Psychological Bulletin, 129(6), 914-945. http://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.129.6.914

Thrash, T. M., & Elliot, A. J. (2004). Inspiration: Core Characteristics, Component Processes, Antecedents, and Function. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 87(6), 957–973. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.87.6.957

Trull T.J. & Sher K.J., (1994). Relationship between the Five Factor model of personality and Axis I disorders in a nonclinical sample. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. 103:350–60. http://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.103.2.350

Watson, D., Hubbard, B., & Wiese, D. (2000). General Traits of Personality and Affectivity as Predictors of Satisfaction in Intimate Relationships: Evidence from Self- and Partner-Ratings. Journal of Personality, 68(3), 413–449 https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6494.00102