Dissimilar Mechanisms Underlie Perceived Happiness of the Introverts and Extraverts: A Thematic Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15446/rcp.v35n1.100672Keywords:
extraversion, happiness, introversion, thematic analysis, personality (en)extraversión, felicidad, introversión, método de análisis temático, personalidad (es)
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The study explored the mechanisms behind differences in the perceived happiness of introverts and extraverts. Using
a qualitative research design, 22 introverts and 27 extraverts were chosen through their scores on the revised Eysenck
personality questionnaire. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview that included questions on the
meaning, causes and sources of happiness. The verbatim transcriptions were analysed through the thematic analysis
method. Five themes were identified: dissimilar conceptualizations of happiness, differences in the inclination towards
happiness, dissimilar loci of happiness, differences in the temporal quality, and the sources of happiness. The extraverts
were more inclined towards short-lived and dynamic nature of happiness whereas permanency, meaningfulness, and
stability pervaded in the meaning of happiness of the introverts. The introverts value internal and achieved sources
whereas external and ascribed sources of happiness find expressions in extraverts. For introverts, happiness originated
from individual activities whereas interpersonal activities caused happiness in extraverts. These differences may be due
to their dissimilar conceptualizations and sources of happiness.
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