Dissimilar Mechanisms Underlie Perceived Happiness of the Introverts and Extraverts: A Thematic Analysis

The study explored the mechanisms behind differences in the perceived happiness of introverts and extraverts. Usinga qualitative research design, 22 introverts and 27 extraverts were chosen through their scores on the revised Eysenckpersonality questionnaire. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview that included questions on themeaning, causes and sources of happiness. The verbatim transcriptions were analysed through the thematic analysismethod. Five themes were identified: dissimilar conceptualizations of happiness, differences in the inclination towardshappiness, dissimilar loci of happiness, differences in the temporal quality, and the sources of happiness. The extravertswere more inclined towards short-lived and dynamic nature of happiness whereas permanency, meaningfulness, andstability pervaded in the meaning of happiness of the introverts. The introverts value internal and achieved sourceswhereas external and ascribed sources of happiness find expressions in extraverts. For introverts, happiness originatedfrom individual activities whereas interpersonal activities caused happiness in extraverts. These differences may be dueto their dissimilar conceptualizations and sources of happiness.