Correlational Study (EPQ & Time Perception) - Essay Example

Lab Report on a Correlational Study (EPQ & Time Perception) The primary aim of this experiment was to determine the nature of correlation between extraversion and time estimation. 93 participants were required to complete EPQ questionnaire in order to determine their EPQ extraversion. The resultant individual scores and time taken to answer the questions were then statistically analyzed and used to determine the correlation between EPQ score (extraversion) and time perception. It was concluded that the results were consistent with Eyesenk’s prediction. H1 was that there is a negative correlational relationship between extraversion and perception of time (in one tailed test). Table of Contents 1.Introduction 4 2.Methods 5 2.1.Participants/Subjects 5 2.2.Materials 5 2.3.Procedure 6 3.Results 7 4.Discussion 9 5.Conclusion 10 References 11 Lab Report on a Correlational Study (EPQ & Time Perception) 1. Introduction The primary aim of this experiment was to determine the correlation between extraversion and time estimation. The human trait of extraversion-introversion is one of the key dimensions of personality theories. It is widely believed that extraversion is usually manifested in sociable, talkative and outgoing behavior while introversion is associated with solitary and more reserved behaviors. Despite the diverse understanding of the two concepts based on different personality theories, extraversion and introversion are commonly regarded as a single continuum trait. For example, while individuals may possess a mixture of both orientations, one side is usually dominant over the other in every individual (Argyle, 1990, p. 1012). Many researches have previously been carried out to investigate the complex relationship between extraversion and time perception. Eyesenk’s theory model suggests that extraverts require more time of stimulation in order to achieve their optimal performance as compared to introverts. Bases on the experimental results of factor analyses of the personality questionnaire responses, Eyesenk identified extraversion, psychotism and neuroticism as the main three personaility dimesntions. Eyesenk (1976, p.76) suggests that extraverts are highly social individuals who enjoy being in social places and meeting people. This is particularly attributed to their low levels of cortical arousal and differences in conditioning. According Zakay (1983, p.138), extroverts are likely to underestimate a given period of time if there are not involved in a stimulating situation. In contrast, introverts are largely expected to overestimate a similar period of time when they are involved in a situation that lacks stimulation. On the other hand, Gray (1970, p.45) attempted to re-conceptualize the basis of extraversion and neuroticism as based on their biological differences regarding their sensitivity to reward and punishment. The co-variation and the discrepancy between extraverts and introverts regarding time perception may be attributed to their differential utilization of their cognitive mechanisms, as well as, their on their biological differences regarding their sensitivity to reward and punishment. H1 of the experiment was that there is a negative correlation between extraversion and time estimation. 2. Methods 2.1. Participants/Subjects In order to explore and investigate the correlation between extraversion and time estimation, a one tailed test in which 93 participants were required to complete EPQ questionnaire in order to determine their EPQ extraversion. The selected participants were randomly selected from a group of students. In order to eliminate the possibility of many variables, age and gender were never taken into consideration. Nevertheless, participation was voluntary and the subjects were free to withdraw from the task at any time. 2.2. Materials The materials used in the experiment included an Eyesenk personality questionnaire (EPQ-r) which had 48 question items involving yes or no answers. Each question was intended to measure one of the three personality traits (Extraversion E, Neuroticism N or Psychotiscm P). In this regard, there were 12 items measuring each of the personality traits. However, the experiment was only concerned with measuring extraversion (E) which had two aspects namely impulsiveness and sociability. On the other hand, a stop watch was used to measure the time perception of each of the participants in order to determine the correlation between their EPQ results and time perception. 2.3. Procedure The design of the correlational survey involved subjecting each participant to the EPQ questionnaire and timing their response time. Prior to the beginning of the correlational survey, the selected participants were requested sit quietly and close their eyes to ensure their minimal stimulation during the experimental procedure. At the beginning of the correlational test, each of the subjects was provided with EPQ questionnaire. All the participants were informed that they were going to answer the questions in the questionnaire and then estimate the time spent answering the questions. With regard to scoring a mark on the questionnaire for questions 3, 7, 15, 19, 23, 32, 36, 44, 48, the subjects were required to place a mark at the margin of the questionnaire whenever their answer to a question was YES. Otherwise they were expected to leave a blank. Similarly, for questions 27 and 41, the participants were also required to place a mark on the margin if their answer was NO and leave a blank if otherwise. The participants were told to add up the marks in the margin and leave their total. Lastly, in order to determine their time perception, the participants were given a timing of 7 minutes and required to raise their hands up when they believed that 7 minutes had passed. Using a stop watch, the EPQ-r-s and time perception of each of the participants was measured. They were timed until they provided their estimation. However, the timing watches were kept concealed from the subjects under study. Additionally, the participants were advised not to use any time estimation strategies and to remain seated until the experimenter they receive the instructions from the experimenter that everybody had finished the procedure. After the experiment, the recorded variables were then tested for any correlational relationship. Lastly, the findings were then explained using the basis of differential use of cognitive mechanisms for time perception among introverts and extroverts. 3. Results The resultant individual scores and time taken to answer the questions were then statistically analyzed and used to determine the correlation between EPQ score (extraversion) and time perception. Descriptive statistics that was obtained after the statistical analysis of the experimental results suggests that the mean measure of extraversion was 8.71 while the mean time estimate among all the participants was 414.19 seconds. Figure 1: Descriptive Statistics Descriptive Statistics Mean Std. Deviation N Extraversion 1-12 EPQ-r-s 8.71 3.013 93 Time estimate of 7 mins (in secs) 414.19 153.130 93 On the other hand, as shown in the figure 2 below, the correlations results revealed a weak correlation(r= -0.15) between the EPQ- Extraversion scores and the time taken (in seconds) by each of the subjects to raise their hands. A p value of 0.252 made the results to be significant at the 5% level. Figure 2: Correlation results (2 tailed test) Correlations Extraversion 1-12 EPQ-r-s Time estimate of 7 mins (in secs) Extraversion 1-12 EPQ-r-s Pearson Correlation 1 -.252* Sig. (2-tailed) .015 N 93 93 Time estimate of 7 mins (in secs) Pearson Correlation -.252* 1 Sig. (2-tailed) .015 N 93 93 *. Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed). An analysis of the correlation between extraversion and time perception revealed that extraverts tended to estimate over estimate the duration of their exposure as compared to introverts and this discrepancy may be a likely indication that that their time perception may be longer. Figure 3: Comparison of the variables 4. Discussion Based on the analysis of the personality questionnaire results and their corresponding time perception, it was evident that H1 of the experiment was accepted. As a result, the experimental results were consistent with the Eysenk’s argument that the perception time of extraverts is always longer than that of introverts. Due to their low levels of cortical arousal and differences in conditioning, extraverts are often very sociable and impulsive individuals who enjoy being in arousing situations such as social places or meeting people. As a result, such individuals may require more time of stimulation in order to achieve their optimal performance as compared to introverts (Eysenck, 1976, p.78). Although extraversion is primarily distinguished by the major tendencies of sociability and impulsiveness, there are a number of other smaller specific traits that are often associated with extraversion behavior. According to many personality theory models, the co-variation and differences in perception of time between extraverts and introverts is a product of their differential utilization of their cognitive mechanisms (Lucas and Baird, 2004, p.478). In this regard, the discrepancy in time perception between extraverts and introverts can be explained by the fact that extraverts that extraverts require more arousal and are, therefore, on average expected to respond faster in order to enhance their sense of arousal when they are performing various tasks. For example, extroverts are likely to underestimate a given period of time if there are not involved in a stimulating situation. Finally, with regard to the significance of the findings, one of the major implications of these findings is that extraverts should be expected to outperform introverts in activities and situations that are highly arousing (Eaton and Funder, 2003, p.392). This is particularly because extraverts are comparatively less prone to being overaroused in such situations. On the other hand, introverts are expected to perform better than extraverts in situations and activities with minimal arousal because introverts are less likely to be underaroused. 5. Conclusion In conclusion, the experiment confirmed that there is a negative correlation between extraversion and time estimation. This is particularly because compared to introverts; extraverts are comparatively less prone to being overaroused in such situations. As a result, extroverts are on average, more likely to underestimate a given period of time if there are not involved in a stimulating situation. Contrastingly, introverts tend to enjoy the absence of stimulation and overestimate the same period of time. References Argyle, M. 1990. The Personality Traits of Extraverts. Personality and Individual Differences, 11(10), pp. 1011-1017. Eaton, L. G., & Funder, D. C. 2003. The creation and consequences of the social world: An interactional analysis of extraversion. European Journal of Personality, 17(5), pp. 375-395. Eysenck, H.J. 1976. The Measurement of Personality, Lancaster: Medical and Technical Publishers. Gray, J.A. 1970. The psychophysiological basis of intraversion-extraversion. Behaviour Research and Therapy. Lucas, R. E., & Baird, B. M. 2004. Extraversion and emotional reactivity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 86(3), pp. 473-485 Zakay, K. 1983. Extraversion-Introversion and Time Perception. Personality and Individual Differences5(2), pp.137-139. Read More