Increasing Extraversion via Intervention : Lay Insights, Person-Activity Fit, and Implications for Well-Being and Persistence

Abstract

Research suggests that acting more extraverted (outgoing, assertive, and/or energetic) boosts subjective well-being in the short term for most people; however, some work indicates that acting more extraverted could be aversive for those who are relatively more introverted. To further understand participants' experiences in extraverted behavior interventions, we analyzed free-response data from a study in which undergraduate participants generated ideas on desirable outcomes, anticipated obstacles, and prospective plans in their efforts to act more sociable. Additionally, to understand the potential relationship between components of person-activity fit (how natural, enjoyable, and meaningful a person finds an intervention activity like acting more extraverted), we conducted exploratory correlational analyses between the components of fit, personality traits, desire to change extraversion, and the endorsement of outcomes, challenges, and plans identified from our thematic qualitative analysis. Our results suggest four main takeaways: (a) dispositional and situational shyness are highly prevalent challenges that bear on behavioral efforts to act more sociable; (b) lack of specificity in participant-generated plans to act more sociable and their focus on thoughts and feelings instead of actionable behavior may inhibit desired behavior change; (c) participants' sense that their own personality serves as a barrier to desired change is negatively related to how natural, enjoyable, and meaningful they rate the intervention; and (d) more agreeable participants rate the intervention as more enjoyable and meaningful. We close by offering theoretical and practical recommendations for future research and interventions focused on fostering extraverted behaviors.