The Relationship Between Extraversion and Satisfaction

It is generally understood that one of the main factors that influence an individual’s experiences is their personality. However, a clear understanding of the mechanism that underlies the relationship between personality and experiences is yet to be gained. Driven by the need to broaden the understanding, Harris et al. (2017) conducted a study. The primary purpose of this study was to establish the reason why extraverted people tend to report higher levels of satisfaction. Before outlining the methodology applied and the results of the study, Harris and his team provide a literature review. Through this review, they establish that there is an association between extraversion and wellbeing and that extraverted people experience greater satisfaction. The methodology that they employed involved tracking college students over four years with the goal of establishing why extraverts are more satisfied. Harris et al. gave special focus to such measures of wellbeing as the size of one’s social circle and the sense of belonging that an individual experiences. The key finding that they made is that the ease with which they are able to establish friendships is the main mechanism that drives the higher satisfaction and enhanced wellbeing that extraverts experience.

There are various strengths and drawbacks that define the article that Harris and his colleagues authored. Among the main strengths is the reliance on literature and the multi-pronged approach that the authors adopted. By consulting existing literature, the researchers ensured that their study was established on a strong theoretical foundation. The multi-thronged approach allowed them to account for as many factors as possible. For example, the researchers examined the link between personality and such other factors as belonging, satisfaction, social engagement and decision making. Essentially, this approach enabled them to demonstrate caution and thoroughness. The use of solid statistical techniques is yet another strength that the research possesses. By using these techniques, the researchers exhibited their respect for and commitment to research guidelines and standards. Furthermore, these techniques imbued the research with credibility and allowed for the drawing of accurate insights. The main shortcoming of the research is that it appears to be rather one-sided. Harris and his team did not give much focus to the experiences of introverts. It could be that introverts also experience satisfaction and that the factors that Harris and his colleagues examined are also manifested in the experiences of the introverts. By failing to examine these experiences, Harris et al. essentially introduced doubt regarding the reliability and accuracy of their observations.

Reference

Harris, K., English, T., Harms, P. D., Cross, J. J., & Jackson, J. J. (2017). Why are extraverts more satisfied? Personality, social experiences, and subjective well-being in college. European Journal of Personality, 31, 170-186.