The effect of personality traits extroversion/introversion on verbal and interactive behaviors of learners

Abstract

The aim of this study was to see the influence of extroversion/introversion continuum on learners’ verbal tendencies and interactive behaviors. In addition, this study also tried to discover learners’ perception of the influence of their personality on their interactive behaviors. The study was conducted in Ankara University, School of Foreign Languages, involving nineteen participants. The relevant data was collected in three steps. First, students were given a personality inventory test, so that their personalities could be identified. After the test results were obtained four introverted and four extroverted students were chosen for the rest of the study. In the second step, subjects were asked to participate in a set of speaking tasks. Finally, an interview with the subjects was conducted to be informed about learners’ understanding of the link between their personality and verbal tendencies. The data collected from the speaking tasks was first transcribed and than analyzed according to the categories established as interactional behaviors and speech production. The results showed that, learners with extroversion and introversion tendencies differed in terms of the way they communicate in L2. While extroverts inclined to start most of the conversations, introduce new topics to the speech and make restatements, introverts tended to ask questions. With respect to speech production, extroverts were found to produce longer sentences, employ more filled pauses and self-corrected utterances. As to second research question, the results revealed that both extroverted and introverted subjects were aware of the effect of their personality on their language behavior.