Survey Study on Extraversion and Well-Being
Survey Report on the Relationship Between Extraversion and Subjective Well-Being
Abstract
Understanding how personality traits such as openness, extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, and conscientiousness affect subjective well-being has been constantly researched. These personality traits have been determined to have a correlational relationship with well-being. This study specifically looks at the trait of extraversion (energy, positive outlook, social behavior) and how it relates to well-being. This study was conducted through the distribution of two surveys to participants during a research methods course at a large private university, the first survey was about personal life satisfaction while the second inquired about characteristics of extraversion. These surveys were then analyzed for a correlational relationship, but the results were deemed to not be significant. These results conflict with conclusions of previous research. However, there are various issues that may have contributed to our findings. Introduction There has been a lot of previous research in regards to understanding subjective well-being (e.g. life satisfaction), more specifically what psychological elements comprise subjective well-being. Learning about the elements of well-being creates a potential for overall improvement of subjective well-being. It has been determined that personality traits can be a valid indication of subjective well-being, more specifically the “Big 5” personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. (Steel, Schmidt, & Shultz, 2008). The depth of influence a personality trait has on well-being has been debated, but it is important to note that the relationship between personality traits and well-being is indirect. (Jovanovic, 2011). In an attempt to specify the information that can be determined about personality and well-being traits are now being separately tested for their respective relationship to
Abstract
Understanding how personality traits such as openness, extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, and conscientiousness affect subjective well-being has been constantly researched. These personality traits have been determined to have a correlational relationship with well-being. This study specifically looks at the trait of extraversion (energy, positive outlook, social behavior) and how it relates to well-being. This study was conducted through the distribution of two surveys to participants during a research methods course at a large private university, the first survey was about personal life satisfaction while the second inquired about characteristics of extraversion. These surveys were then analyzed for a correlational relationship, but the results were deemed to not be significant. These results conflict with conclusions of previous research. However, there are various issues that may have contributed to our findings. Introduction There has been a lot of previous research in regards to understanding subjective well-being (e.g. life satisfaction), more specifically what psychological elements comprise subjective well-being. Learning about the elements of well-being creates a potential for overall improvement of subjective well-being. It has been determined that personality traits can be a valid indication of subjective well-being, more specifically the “Big 5” personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. (Steel, Schmidt, & Shultz, 2008). The depth of influence a personality trait has on well-being has been debated, but it is important to note that the relationship between personality traits and well-being is indirect. (Jovanovic, 2011). In an attempt to specify the information that can be determined about personality and well-being traits are now being separately tested for their respective relationship to
References: Diener, E., Emmons, R., Larsen, R., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71-75. Gomez, V., Allemand, M., & Grob, A Harris, P. R., & Lightsey, O. R. (2011). Constructive thinking as a mediator of the relationship between extraversion, neuroticism, and subjective well-being. European Journal of Personality, 19(5), 409-426. Jovanovic, V Pavot, W., & Diener, E. (1993). Review of the satisfaction with life scale. Psychological Assessment, 5(2), 164-172. Steel, P., Schmidt, J., & Shultz, J