36th Annual Student Research Conference
Extraversion in College Students
Hannah N. Kirchner
Dr. Brian Ott and Dr. Amber Johnson, Faculty Mentors
In Western society, the personality trait of extraversion is highly valued due to its sociable, outgoing, and assertive nature. Research has shown that extraverted individuals reap benefits like consistent happiness and positive affect through strong support systems and social capital due to their extraverted personalities. It has also been found that introverted individuals have the potential to reap the same benefits as extraverts, were they to express more extraverted behavioral tendencies on a consistent basis. Higher education in Western society is shaped by the cultural valuation of extraversion with learning practices centered around social interactions. This has the potential to put pressure on introverted college students to express more extraverted behaviors in order to feel successful in the classroom and in their coursework. I conducted a closed-ended survey to explore and test the following hypothesis: introverted college students feel the need to portray extraverted behaviors in order to succeed academically.
Keywords: extraversion, introversion, academic success, college students
Topic(s):Sociology
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 303-4
Location: SUB Georgian Room B
Time: 2:00