Extraverts report higher levels of authenticity and extraverted behavior predicts increased feelings of authenticity, even by introverts

Wilt, Joshua A., Jessie Sun, Rowan Jacques-Hamilton, and Luke D. Smillie. 2021. “Why Does It Feel Authentic to Be and Act Extraverted? Exploring the Mediating Role of Positive Affect.” PsyArXiv. March 19. doi:10.31234/osf.io/7mj6g

Abstract: Extraverts report higher levels of authenticity and extraverted behavior predicts increased feelings of authenticity. Why? Across three studies, we examined positive affect as a mediator of the associations between extraversion and authenticity. In Study 1 (N = 205), we tested our mediation model at the trait level. Study 2 (N = 97) involved a ten-week lab-based experience sampling protocol, whereas Study 3 (N = 147) involved a preregistered week-long daily-life experience sampling protocol. These studies allowed us to test our mediation model at the state level. Positive affect explained moderate to very high proportions of the effects of extraversion on authenticity (Study 1 = 29%, Study 2 = 38%, Study 3 = 87%). We interpret these findings through the lens of cybernetic self-regulation, feelings-as-information, positive psychology, and humanistic perspectives, and propose that increased PA could also explain why extraversion is connected with other eudaimonic components of wellbeing.