I tend to be a bit skeptical when studies are based on extroversion and introversion, if only because I can test on all parts of the spectrum depending on my mood.
I think people shackle their identity to their *version, and it can be limiting.
Out of curiosity, how are you defining the two? I ask because a lot of people tend to define them at "enjoys interactions with (larger numbers of) people" vs "does not enjoy interactions with (larger numbers of) people". The definition I like is that an extrovert gains (emotional) energy from interacting with people, while for an introvert those same interactions are draining. Both can enjoy the interactions, it's just a matter of how long they can sustain it.
I think of it in terms of energy gaining/draining, but I meant more from the "big 5" test perspective, as well as the other groups of personality tests you can take like DISC and Meters-Briggs.
In general I'm fairly skeptical of personality tests, beyond just intro/extro version, for the similar reason that a) I can test vastly different based on my mood and b) people tend to tie their self image to the results and you end up with a tail-wagging-dog situation.
This is generally a problem. We put people into these large categories like “liberal/conservative” or “introvert/extrovert” and then expect that to neatly explain a whole range of behaviors and preferences. In reality people rarely fall completely into these categories.
I'd almost compare it to gender. Yes there's a spectrum, but the outer areas are very lumpy. In the case of sensitivity to office noise, the only aspect I see as intersecting with extro/intro traits would be chitchat. Everything else seems like it would come down to distractibility level, which I don't think is tied to those traits at all.
I'm just glad so many managers are cool with responsible use of headphones & noise cancellation approaches these days. Certain tasks simply require more focus.
I think there are many factors that should be controlled for in these evaluations. I know for me getting enough sleep and being in good health make a big difference in how sensitive I am to environmental distractions.
A lot of people who label themselves introverts have sensory processing sensitivities. If you measure sensory overload you're going to find 'introverts'.
RHSeeger|6 years ago
dimino|6 years ago
In general I'm fairly skeptical of personality tests, beyond just intro/extro version, for the similar reason that a) I can test vastly different based on my mood and b) people tend to tie their self image to the results and you end up with a tail-wagging-dog situation.
Ididntdothis|6 years ago
asdf21|6 years ago
slfnflctd|6 years ago
I'm just glad so many managers are cool with responsible use of headphones & noise cancellation approaches these days. Certain tasks simply require more focus.
TheCowboy|6 years ago
hinkley|6 years ago