Is the objective of the experiment appropriate, relevant and important for our understanding of personality and/or personality theory?
The objective of the study (Why are extroverts more satisfied?) are pertinent with, and important to and fitting the understanding of personality. The study seeks to validate the appreciation that extraversion and greater subjective well-being (satisfaction) are correlated. To establish the connection between extraversion and greater subjective well-being, Harris, English, Harms, Gross and Jackson (2017) set out to explore the long-term longitudinal relationship between extraversion and levels of satisfaction in college. In addition, they also studied the long-term longitudinal connection between extraversion and social experiences.
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Were there important points, issues or ideas that were left out? Are there issues that you believe deserved greater attention?
This study does not address the bias that could arise from the data collection. To address the possible bias in data collection, it is wise to adopt an objective behavioral measure, particularly when investigating subjective matters such as peer reports. Peer reports and related subjective topics are prone to bias. However, still the failure to give this study an objective measure does not invalidate the research findings (Merrill, Detmar & Kalana, 2012).
Are the conclusions of the study appropriate? Has the author overemphasized or under-emphasized any findings?
The conclusions of this study by Harris, English, Harms, Gross and Jackson are appropriate. Apart from citing that there indeed exists a connection between extraversion and long-lasting effects on satisfaction and social experiences during early adulthood, the authors went ahead to explore other factors that could possibly contribute to the relationship other than just the fact that one is extroverted. They cited emotional and temperamental factors to be some of the reasons behind the relationship between extroversion and high levels of satisfaction.
What are the key strengths and weaknesses of this study?
Strengths
The time duration for the study examining social experiences as a pathway from extraversion was four years. This was comparatively longer than other related studies took. The longer time duration here significantly help build the credibility of results. Additionally, the research involved actual exploration so as to come up with data as opposed to laboratory investigation (Harris, English, Harms, Gross & Jackson, 2017).
Weaknesses
There are questions over the research findings applicability. Samples for the study were only collected from high end universities; thereby rendering it difficult to assume that the findings could be applicable to other college students. In addition, the fact that the samples were only collected from elite schools also impacts the comprehension of the belonging samples. Finally, none of the samples used in this study used an objective behavioral measure. Peer reports are an example of subjective measures and are thereby prone to bias (Harris, English, Harms, Gross & Jackson, 2017).
How does this research add to our understanding of personality or personality theory?
This research reveals that the environment plays a big role in shaping an individual’s personality. Environment in this study denotes the physical aspect of the environment (natural events) as well as nature of interactions between an individual and those around them. Extroverts are more likely to be happy and also seem satisfied in life partly because they explore more compared to introverts, and also have comparatively larger figures of friends compared to the latter. It is these two facts, especially when the interactions are not hurtful that cause the satisfaction that extroverts are characterized with.
What is your opinion of the value of this study? Support your position
I think that this research was adequate and satisfactory. I am also in support with the findings of this study. This is mainly because the duration it took to accomplish this study, summed up with the fact that the data used in this study was not laboratory-generated significantly help make this study dependable. However, I feel that a lot more could have been differently so as to make this study completely satisfactory. First, the researchers should have opted for diversity in data collection. Finally, objective measurement could have also helped make the data for this study a little bit more dependable.
References
Harris, K., English, T., Harms, P.D., Gross, J.J., & Jackson, J.J. (2017). Why are extraverts more satisfied? Personality, social experiences, and subjective. European Journal of Personality, 31 , 170-186.
Merrill, W., Detmar, S., & Kalana, M. Featured talk: Measuring secure behavior:
A research commentary. Retrieved from https://www.albany.edu/iasymposium/proceedings/2012/5-Warkentin_Straub&Malimage.pdf
