The Impact of Social Interaction Frequency and Positivity on Extraversion Scores PDF

# The Impact of Social Interaction Frequency and Positivity on Extraversion Scores ## Satyam Yadav ## Department of psychology, Elphinstone college, Dr. Homi Bhabha State University (Course name and course number) ## 24 October, 2024 ## Acknowledgement I would like to express my sincere gratit...

# The Impact of Social Interaction Frequency and Positivity on Extraversion Scores ## Satyam Yadav ## Department of psychology, Elphinstone college, Dr. Homi Bhabha State University (Course name and course number) ## 24 October, 2024 ## Acknowledgement I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those whose invaluable guidance and support helped me throughout my research. I also wish to acknowledge the faculty members of my college for their constructive feedback and helpful suggestions. Additionally, I extend my thanks to the subjects who participated in the survey; their contributions were crucial in completing this project. Finally, I want to thank everyone who supported, helped, guided, and motivated me throughout this process. Thank you all. ## Abstract This study looks at how social interactions, like spending time with friends and family, relate to extraversion, a personality trait that means being outgoing and energetic. We found that people who often have positive social experiences tend to score higher on tests measuring extraversion. For example, participants who regularly went to social events or enjoyed time with friends felt more sociable and confident, while those with fewer positive interactions scored lower on extraversion and often felt more reserved or shy. The study included a diverse group of 50 participants, which helps us understand how different backgrounds might influence these results. However, there are some limitations, such as relying on participants to report their own social interactions, which could lead to inaccurate answers. Future research should include longer studies that follow people over time to see how their social experiences affect their extraversion. Overall, the findings emphasise how important positive social interactions are for developing outgoing behaviours like extraversion, benefiting both individuals and communities by encouraging more social engagement, which can lead to better mental health and overall happiness. **Key words:** Extraversion, Social Relationship, Personality trait. ## Index | Sr.no. | Contents | Page no. | |---|---|---| | 1 | Introduction | 6 | | 2 | Literature Review | 8 | | 3 | Methodology | 12 | | 4 | Result and Discussion | 13 | | 5 | Limitations and Recommendations | 17 | | 6 | Application | 19 | | 7 | References | 20 | | 8 | Appendix | 21 | ## Introduction Have you ever wondered why some people flourish in a social environment/interaction, while others find it exhausting? Why do some people effortlessly become the life of the party, while others find it too hard to socialise and also it drains their energy? And what role does social interaction play in shaping our personality? Extraversion refers to the association of a person in social settings, the involvement of an individual in group activities, talkativeness, means being able to convey one’s thoughts to other people easily and stating one’s own opinion in front of people without disrespecting or hurting someone in a very respectful way. And social interaction refers to the ways or medium in which an individual engages or connects himself with others. For example: taking part in group activities, going out in social gatherings, joining different sport clubs or meeting new people, hanging out with friends’ groups etc. The study of the relationship between social interaction and personality traits, especially extraversion, has been a subject of extensive research in psychology. This study explores the impact of social interaction on the extraversion trait of personality. The way an individual acts has an impact on the environment, be it intentional or not. In the same way Environment also has an impact on us and can influence our behaviour. For example: Consider a person named Himanshu. He is an extravert, talkative and enthusiastic. Now there is a significantly high tendency that his behaviour will affect those whom he interacts with and the other person will be more likely to be open or share his/her views, opinion or likes/dislikes even if he is not a very extravert or talkative person. This change in the social environment may affect the person's behaviour and cause him to become even more talkative and enthusiastic. This same process can occur the other way as well. If the behaviour of Himanshu is rude, fearful or irritable then this will affect the behaviour or person differently. He/she will not feel much comfortable, secure and may respond by becoming uncooperative. This behaviour is more likely to have a negative effect on individuals' behaviour. Research by Landis et al. (2023) highlights and explains the nature of extraverted individuals and demonstrates the nature of extraverts how they tend to have a larger and more active social network and they frequently engage with them. The study also found that extraverted individuals not only have people and be with them but also, they frequently change their social connections and approach different groups and people. ## Rationale Have you ever wondered why we feel comfortable around some people and uneasy around some? Why are we more open to some people and ourselves more while with/around some people we are not much comfortable with. It is because of the interaction with the other person. Suppose, we are interacting and having a conversation with someone who is an extraverted individual then he'll be more talkative, enthusiastic and won't hesitate to share what he thinks and feels. So, people feel much safer with them and tend to share their feelings, thoughts and much more. The environment and social conditions play a very vital role and affect us. Let’s consider another scenario, where we are interacting with someone who is an introvert, now this person won't speak much or share his feelings, thoughts and emotions or opinion and mostly we tend to avoid these kinds of people because we don’t feel comfortable around them. Now, in both the scenarios we behaved differently because of the interaction with the other person. How interaction takes place in large social settings: Some people are very comfortable, energetic and enthusiastic in social environments like parties, conferences, social gatherings while some people face serious issues in such an environment and their energy is drained in such an environment. Why do some people like to meet new people and engage with them, make more connections, and enjoy being the Centre of attention of others and they are more charged doing these things. On the other hand, some are totally opposite. The two main key points here are social interaction and extraversion, now what does this mean? **Social interaction**: Social interaction comprises the frequency (quantity) of an individual where he is exposed to a group or any other environment where people work in collaboration. Social interaction is also about the quality of engagement with the group so, it includes both the quantitative and qualitative aspects. **Extraversion**: It is characterised by sociability, assertiveness and enthusiasm. Extraverts are those who enjoy being around other people. They are talkative, energetic in a social environment, they find opportunities to engage with people. They have a larger social network and frequently engage themselves in social activities They enjoy being Centre of attraction. They are confident in sharing their thoughts and opinions. They often seek out new experiences that provide excitement and stimulation. ## Literature Review 1. In this study, 76 pairs of college students who didn't know each other met and talked for 5 minutes while being filmed. After their conversation, they shared their thoughts about each other. Researchers carefully watched the videos and noted 64 different behaviours displayed by the participants, which they grouped into categories. The students also described their own personalities, and friends of theirs provided descriptions as well. The researchers found that students who were more extraverted-meaning they are outgoing and enjoy socialising-were more engaged and active during the conversation. This engaging behaviour made their conversation partners rate them more positively, meaning they saw them in a better light. Additionally, when one person showed positive emotions, like happiness or enthusiasm, it often encouraged their partner to be more extraverted too. This meant that the positive energy from one person could influence the other to feel and act more positively as well. These patterns were consistent across different reports: the self-descriptions from the participants, the descriptions from their partners, and the descriptions from their acquaintances all showed similar results regarding extraversion. The study highlights how extraverted people create a cheerful and supportive atmosphere during social interactions. Their own positivity not only helps them connect better with others but also encourages those around them to feel good and be more engaged. This suggests that being outgoing and positive can have a ripple effect, improving the overall mood of everyone involved in the conversation. **Reference:** Eaton, L. G., & Funder, D. C. (2003). The creation and consequences of the social world: An interactional analysis of extraversion. European Journal of Personality 2. The study shows how being outgoing (extraversion) affects people’s happiness (well-being) during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when many people were isolated and socialising less. Previous research suggested that more extraverted people tend to be happier, but it was unclear whether this happiness comes from their frequent social interactions or from the fact that they benefit more from those interactions. The researchers gathered a lot of data for their analysis, including responses from over 10,000 participants in a large international study and two smaller studies that collected tens of thousands of assessments. They wanted to see if the connection between extraversion and well-being held true even when social interactions were limited during the pandemic. Their findings showed that extraversion was still strongly linked to well-being, meaning that being outgoing contributes positively to happiness, even in tough times. They found some evidence that social interactions played a role in this relationship, but it wasn't consistent across all data sets. Interestingly, the idea that extraverted people gain more from social interactions was only supported for certain aspects of extraversion-like being sociable and specific feelings of happiness, such as feeling energized and positive. The study also found that changes in how people interacted during the pandemic, like having fewer face-to-face meetings, did not negatively affect more extraverted individuals. This suggests that even when socializing was more challenging, those who are naturally outgoing did not suffer as much from the lack of interaction. Hence, the research concludes that the positive relationship between being extraverted and feeling happy remains strong, even during a crisis like the pandemic. Being social and outgoing seems to help people maintain their happiness, showing that personality traits can play a significant role in well-being, regardless of external circumstances. **Reference**: Kroencke, L., Humberg, S., Breil, S. M., Geukes, K., Zoppolat, G., Balzarini, R. N., Alonso-Ferres, M., Slatcher, R. B., & Back, M. D. (2023). Extraversion, social interactions, and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: Did extraverts really suffer more than introverts? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 3. This research explores what influences sociable behaviour-how friendly and outgoing people are in social situations. While it's already known that both personality traits and the characteristics of a situation affect sociability, this study aims to understand how these factors work together in real-life interactions. Previous studies mostly focused on self-reported behaviour, which means they didn't consider how other people view and influence someone's sociability. To investigate this, the researchers conducted two studies. The first study involved 394 participants from the U.S., while the second had 124 participants from Germany. They collected information about personality traits from both the participants and people who know them well, like friends or family (known as informants). Participants also reported how sociable they were during real-life interactions and provided details about the situations they were in. The findings showed that personality and the situation both play important roles in how sociable someone is. For instance, extraverts-people who are naturally outgoing-tended to be more sociable overall. Additionally, people were friendlier in situations that were easy, positive, and had fewer obligations compared to situations that required a lot of effort, were negative, or had many responsibilities. This effect was especially strong for extraverts, suggesting that their sociable behaviour is influenced by the type of situation they find themselves in. The study also revealed that how a partner views a situation can also affect how sociable someone behaves. For example, if a partner sees a social gathering as fun and relaxed, the person may be more likely to act friendly and outgoing. **Reference**: Breil, S. M., Geukes, K., Wilson, R. E., Nestler, S., Vazire, S., & Back, M. D. (2019). Zooming into real-life extraversion: How personality and situation shape sociability in social interactions. 4. This study shows how leadership potential develops from childhood to adulthood, following participants from ages 2 to 29 and analysing data from 106 people. It focuses on two main factors during adolescence: personality traits, especially how outgoing someone is (extraversion), and intelligence, measured by IQ. The key findings show that teenagers who are more outgoing often develop better social skills as adults. These skills are important for leadership because they help people connect with others, communicate well, and inspire teams. So, being outgoing as a teenager can help someone become a good leader later in life. On the other hand, the study found that intelligence doesn't directly impact a person's leadership potential in adulthood, nor does it combine with extraversion to improve leadership skills. This suggests that while being smart is important, it isn't a major factor in becoming an effective leader. The study outlines a clear path to developing leadership qualities: it starts with early temperament, progresses to extraversion during adolescence, and leads to strong social skills in adulthood. This emphasises that social abilities are more important than intelligence when it comes to being an effective leader. **Reference:** Guerina, D. W., Olivera, P. H., Gottfried, A. W., Gottfried, A. E., Reichard, R. J., & Riggio, R. E. (n.d.). Childhood and adolescent antecedents of social skills and leadership potential in adulthood: Temperamental approach/withdrawal and extraversion. ## Methodology: * **Aim**: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the frequency and positivity of social interactions and levels of extraversion. * **Hypothesis (H1)**: Individuals with frequent and positive social interactions score significantly higher on extraversion measures compared to those with less frequent or less positive interactions. * **Null Hypothesis (H0)**: There is no significant positive relationship between the frequency of social interactions and extraversion scores. * **Sample**: Participants from various ranges to capture a wide range of social interactions and personality traits. * **Sample size**: 50 Participants. * **Sampling method**: Purposive sampling. * **Scale**: Likert scale. * **Design**: Correlational research design. * **Statistical method**: Pearson correlation coefficient. **Procedure**: The research procedure starts with creating a simple questionnaire using a Likert scale to measure social interactions and extraversion. Next, we will randomly select 50 participants from different social settings to ensure a variety of responses. The survey will be distributed through Google Forms, with clear instructions and a section for informed consent to explain the study to participants. Once the responses are collected, we will make sure to keep all information confidential. We will then analyse the data to find any relationship between social interactions and extraversion. Finally, we will write a report summarising the results of the survey and any important findings. ## Result ### Table 1 Correlation matrix: | | average for social interaction | average for extraversion | |---|---|---| | average for social interaction | Pearson's <br> r <br> df <br> p-value <br> N | | | average for extraversion | *** <br> Pearson's <br> 0.790 <br> r <br> df <br> 49 <br> p-value <br> < .001 <br> N <br> 51 | | | | | *** | *Note. * p < .05, ** p < .01, *** p < .001 ### Table 2 Descriptives | | Social interaction | Extraversion | |---|---|---| | N | 50 | 50 | | Mean | 59.26 | 80.57 | | Median | 52 | 81 | | Mode | 45.57 | 83.84 | | Standard Deviation | 18.24 | 5.64 | **Fig 1** Scatter Plot: The image shows a scatterplot that represents the relationship between two variables social interaction and extraversion. Each point represents a respondent's combined score for social interaction and extraversion. The location of the point is based on the individual's values for these two variables. A linear regression line is drawn through the points, indicating a positive relationship between social interaction and extraversion. As the sum of social interaction increases, the sum of extraversion also tends to increase, suggesting that more socially interactive individuals also tend to score higher on extraversion. The upward-sloping line indicates that there is a positive correlation between social interaction and extraversion. This means that individuals who engage more in social interaction tend to also score higher on extraversion. ## Discussion These findings strongly support the notion that social interactions significantly shape personality traits, particularly extraversion. Positive social experiences can boost an individual's confidence and foster a sense of belonging, both of which are critical for developing outgoing behaviour. For instance, someone who regularly attends social gatherings, like a weekly book club or community sports team, is likely to feel more comfortable expressing themselves and engaging with others. This frequent interaction not only enhances their sociability but also helps reinforce their identity as an extroverted person. On the other hand, individuals with limited positive interactions may struggle to develop these extraverted traits. For example, someone who primarily interacts through social media, without face-to-face engagement, might not experience the same level of connection and support. As a result, they may find themselves feeling more withdrawn or less enthusiastic in social situations. Moreover, the role of supportive social networks cannot be overlooked. For instance, individuals with strong friendships or family ties often report higher levels of happiness and self-esteem, which can further encourage extraverted behaviours. In contrast, those who lack such connections may feel isolated, impacting their overall personality development. Overall, this study emphasises the importance of nurturing positive social connections in influencing personality traits. By fostering environments that promote social interactions—such as community programs, group activities, or even informal gatherings—individuals can cultivate more extraverted behaviours. This understanding highlights the potential benefits of social engagement, not just for individual personality development, but also for enhancing overall well-being and community cohesion. ## Limitations While the study provides valuable insights into the relationship between social interactions and extraversion, several limitations should be considered. First, the reliance on self-reported measures can introduce bias. Participants may overstate their social interactions or misinterpret their own levels of extraversion, which could skew the results. For example, someone might describe themselves as very social simply because they attend events occasionally, even if they don't actively engage with others during those events. Additionally, the study's sample size and diversity may limit the generalizability of the findings. If most participants come from a similar demographic background, the results may not apply to other groups. For instance, cultural factors can influence social behaviours and perceptions of extraversion. Therefore, results drawn from one population might not hold true for another, such as comparing urban and rural residents or different age groups. Another limitation is the cross-sectional design of the study. This means that data was collected at one point in time, making it difficult to establish a cause-and-effect relationship. It's possible that while social interactions influence extraversion, individuals with higher extraversion may also seek out more social interactions, creating a reciprocal effect that is hard to untangle. ## Recommendations To address these limitations, future research should consider using longitudinal designs, where participants are followed over time. This approach would allow researchers to observe changes in extraversion and social interactions, providing clearer insights into how these variables influence each other. For example, tracking individuals before and after joining a social group could help determine whether increased interactions lead to greater extraversion. And including a more diverse sample would enhance the findings' applicability. Researchers should aim to include participants from various cultural backgrounds, age groups, and socioeconomic statuses to capture a broader range of social experiences. This diversity would help identify how different factors influence the relationship between social interactions and extraversion across various contexts. ## Applications 1. Understand how important social experiences are for your well-being. 2. Take small steps to get involved in social activities, like joining a club or attending group events. 3. Set personal goals to attend a few social events each month or reach out to friends more often. 4. Build your confidence by gradually engaging more with others. 5. In therapy, focus on the value of social connections for better mental health. 6. Help clients develop social skills and find local groups that encourage interaction. 7. Highlight the benefits of positive relationships for personal growth. 8. Organise community events and activities to help people connect and meet new friends. 9. Start programs like community gardening or team sports to create supportive networks. 10. Encourage schools and universities to help students make friends through clubs and activities. 11. Support students in building their social skills and reducing feelings of isolation. 12. Create welcoming environments that promote positive social experiences to boost extraversion and improve quality of life. ## References * Breil, S. M., Geukes, K., Wilson, R. E., Nestler, S., Vazire, S., & Back, M. D. (2019). * Eaton, L. G., & Funder, D. C. (2003). The creation and consequences of the social world: An interactional analysis of extraversion. European Journal of Personality, 17(5), 375-392 * Guerina, D. W., Olivera, P. H., Gottfried, A. W., Gottfried, A. E., Reichard, R. J., & Riggio, R. E. (n.d.). * Kroencke, L., Humberg, S., Breil, S. M., Geukes, K., Zoppolat, G., Balzarini, R. N., Alonso-Ferres, M., Slatcher, R. B., & Back, M. D. (2023). * Landis, J. R., et al. (2023). * Lucas, R. E., & Diener, E. (2001). ## Appendix ### Consent form I understand that my participation in this study is completely voluntary. I have the choice to participate or not, and I can withdraw from the study at any time without any consequences. If I choose to withdraw, my data will not be used, and any information collected up to that point will be discarded. And I consent to use my data for research purposes. I agree I disagree ### Item pools **Scale 1** 1. I frequently visit my friends and family Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 2. I frequently participate in group activities Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 3. I frequently attend community events Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 4. I frequently participate in group activities Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 5. I often go out with friends Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree 6. I am frequently engage in social activities Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 7. I often meet new people Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 8. I frequently interact with my colleagues/college friends outside of work/college Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 9. I regularly participate in family events Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 10. I often participate in social gatherings strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 11. I often join clubs or social organizations to meet new people Strongly Agree Agree neutral Disagree Strongly disagree 12. I take part in team sports or group exercise classes Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 13. I often collaborate with others on projects or tasks Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree 14. I frequently /often attend cultural or entertainment events with others Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 15. I frequently seek out social interaction Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree **Scale 2** 1. I enjoy being the centre of attention Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 2. I feel energize when I am around other people Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 3. I enjoy meeting new people Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 4. I feel comfortable in large group Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 5. I like to start conversations Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree 6. I enjoy socializing with strangers Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 7. I feel ease in social settings Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 8. I often take lead in group activities Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 9. I enjoy being around others Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 10. I am comfortable expressing my opinions in social settings Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 11. I feel confident in social settings Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 12. I am assertive in social interactions Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 13. I like to lead discussions Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 14. I am not afraid to speak up in groups Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree 15. I enjoy taking lead in social activity Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 16. I feel self-assured in social situations Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 17. I get excited about meeting new people Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 18. I am enthusiastic about participating in social events Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 19. I often feel burst of energy in social situation Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree 20. I enjoy planning social activities Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 21. I look forward to social gatherings Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree 22. I am eager to join social clubs and events Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree 23. I enjoy excitement of social interactions Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 24. I am lively when I am around other people Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 25. I am comfortable being around other people. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 26. I love going to parties with friends. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 27. I always like to start conversations with strangers. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 28. I love being the centre of attention Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 29. I am very confident while talking to people. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 30. I enjoy meeting new people. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 31. I am enthusiastic about attending social events. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 32. I feel good when I am the centre of attention. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 33. I feel good when I am around other people. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree