ABSTRACT

The impact isolation has on an individual is well-documented, though it is unclear whether this impact is different depending on whether the individual is an introvert or an extrovert. The present study hopes to explore what relationship, if any, individual differences have with the effects of isolation. The methods included a voluntary online survey, in which participants answered questions to determine their level of extroversion and measured their present level of stress. They were then asked to sit in a room by themselves for five minutes, after which they took the stress test again. Analysis demonstrated no significant differences in level of stress between extroverts and introverts before and after isolation. However, there was a trend that illustrated participants may experience a lower level of stress after isolation, regardless of their personality differences. There also may be a trend for people deemed as ‘quiet’ to experience a dip in confidence in their ability to handle personal problems after the period of isolation. Potential confounds include discrepancies between participants’ environment during isolation (ie., they may have been able to hear people in other rooms, therefore introducing a form of social participation). Real-world implications of the study include the ability for people to plan how to alleviate stress produced by social isolation, depending on their own level of extroversion. In future studies, neuroticism may be added as a scale to determine if one potential explanation for the dip in confidence may be due to overthinking while alone. These studies may also use more previously validated questionnaires instead of adding original items.