What Is Extraversion For? Integrating Trait and Motivational Perspectives and Identifying the Purpose of Extraversion

Citations Over TimeTop 10% of 2012 papers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the manifestation of extraversion (i.e., acting and being extraverted) in everyday behavior can be explained by intentional (functional) constructs, namely, goals. By using a model in which personality states serve as an outcome of specific, momentary goal pursuit, we were able to identify the function of extraversion states in everyday behavior. Using experience-sampling methodology, we asked participants to describe their state extraversion, goal pursuit, and state affect over 10 days. Results show that 18 selected goals predicted 74% of the variance in state extraversion; both within-person and between-person fluctuations in state extraversion were strongly associated with changes in momentary goal pursuit. We extended findings relating state extraversion and state positive affect, showing that the relationship between goals and positive affect was partially mediated by state extraversion.

Related Papers

• → Personality disorder traits: Perceptions of likability, impairment, and ability to change as correlates and moderators of desired level.(2017)37 cited
• → Relationship of big five personality traits and future specialty preference among undergraduate medical students: a cross-sectional study(2023)8 cited
• → Social Media Membership, Browsing, and Profile Updating in a Representative U.S. Sample: Independent and Interdependent Effects of Big Five Traits and Aging and Social Factors(2017)9 cited
• → Accuracy in trait judgments based on WeChat: Detecting who stands on the extreme levels of the big-five trait continua(2021)3 cited
• → Alternatives to trait theory(2003)