Enter Week 6, Stage 2 of the Analysis Between Social Introverts and Extroverts

In my previous post, I promised to begin research to answer the question regarding whether the behavioral differences between social introverts and extroverts are due to genetics (nature) or environment (nurture).  Apparently, however, behavior is due to a combination of both genetics and environment.  Thus, these differences must also be due to both nature and nurture.  "When a species' environment varies little from generation to generation, or in communication when" the messages are very clear-cut,  genetic information is the best determinant for behavior (Breed and Sanchez).  However, in order for behavioral development to occur, individuals must be able "to learn a specific piece of information at the right stage of development."  Such ability, known as imprinting, is affected by environment, as different external factors play into the information that the individual receives.  Based on the social environment and physical world around them, individuals must learn to conform to different roles and niches, although their decisions to adopt such roles may be indicative of their genetic predispositions.  However, these predispositions through genetics do not definitively associate individuals with certain behaviors, for if they did, "a person might be uncontrollably locked into bad parenting, violent behavior, or drug addiction."  Rather, differing influences from society, culture, and politics may urge individuals to adopt different behaviors.  In theory, "genes and environment act to complement each other in yielding behavioral solutions to" challenges posed by society and/or for survival.  Individuals may have innate/instinctive behavioral responses embedded within their genetic code, although they must also learn from their ever-changing environment, thereby shaping their behaviors (Breed and Sanchez).  Thus, in reality, both genetics and environment help to control behavior, which explains, to some extent, the behavioral differences between introverts and extroverts.  Although my next post will go into detail on this application, introverts and extroverts are likely predisposed genetically to act socially withdrawn or socially involved, but their behaviors may be shaped by the environment and situations that they are raised in and habituate.  The effects of genetics and/or environment in behavior can also be observed in animals, as noted through the illustrations below.

"Information about where to forage, what prey to select, and how to handle the prey after striking is likely innate [given with the genetic code] in species like this [the rattlesnake above]" (Breed and Sanchez).

"Imprinting by the parents on their goslings help to keep the family together [and shape their behaviors through environmental influence]" (Breed and Sanchez).

Additionally, at the bottom of this post is the draft for the first survey in this project.  This draft still requires some editing, but I intend to begin distributing it to as many people as possible (PT students, neighbors, etc.) before I make the next post in two weeks.  Specifically, this survey covers the general feelings of individuals concerning the behavioral differences between and social roles of introverts and extroverts.

To whom it may concern:

            For my AP English Literature and Composition class this year, my fellow classmates and I are engaging ourselves in “twenty-percent projects,” individual research projects that are meant to fill twenty-percent of the time, work, and effort spent in the class.  My twenty-percent project is centered on the behavioral differences between social introverts and extroverts, although it also focuses on society’s views regarding the two groups.  In order to gauge society’s perceptions regarding social introverts and extroverts, as well as to view the typical responses of these so-called introverts/extroverts in different situations, I require the participation of other individuals in my studies.  Please fill out the initial survey below, answering honestly, confronted with a promise of complete privacy and anonymity.  Choose the one option per prompt that best fits your opinion, designating your selection with either a circle of the choice or a check in the same box as the choice.  More surveys will likely follow in the future that cover more specific areas regarding the behavioral differences of these two groups and their roles in society.  Participants’ answers in this survey may later be quantified by the researcher for statistical analysis in addition to the qualitative analysis (hypothetical example: INTROVERT = 1, EXTROVERT = 2, AMBIVERT = 3).  Your support and cooperation are greatly appreciated.  (Note: An ambivert is an individual who may be regarded as a balance or mix between an introvert and an extrovert.  They may possess some qualities of an introvert and others of an extrovert, or their situational responses and the qualities that they express may vary.  Although they will not be a group that will be of central focus in this project, their presence should still be recognized, as many individuals fit into this category.)

Thank you in advance,

            Josh Peles

Which would you identify yourself as?		INTROVERT			AMBIVERT				EXTROVERT
When you are at a party, you…	SIT IN THE CORNER AND ATTEMPT TO AVOID HUMAN CONTACT (WHY WERE YOU INVITED TO THE PARTY?)			RESPECTFULLY SOCIALIZE WITH ONLY A FEW FRIENDS AND CLOSE ACQUAINTANCES		SOCIALIZE WITH MOST FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES ALONG WITH SOME STRANGERS	SOCIALIZE WITH STRANGERS, ALTHOUGH FRIENDS ARE PREFERRED			SEEK OUT NEW PEOPLE TO TALK TO (EVEN THOUGH YOU WEREN’T INVITED TO  THE PARTY)
When you are alone, you…	SAVOR THE PERSONAL TIME AND WISH THAT LIFE CONSISTED OF TOTAL ISOLATION			PREFER THE SITUATION OVER BEING WITH OTHERS, BUT STILL RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF SOCIETY IN LIFE		FEEL SOMEWHAT LONELY, ALTHOUGH YOU ENJOY THE PERSONAL TIME TO THINK	WOULD MUCH RATHER BE WITH OTHERS, BUT STILL ACCEPT THE SITUATION			CONSTANTLY CRAVE THE COMPANY AND ATTENTION OF OTHERS
Society in general seems to accept introverts.	STRONGLY DISAGREE			DISAGREE TO SOME EXTENT		SITUATIONAL RESPONSE	AGREE TO SOME EXTENT			STRONGLY AGREE
Society in general should accept introverts.	STRONGLY DISAGREE			DISAGREE TO SOME EXTENT		SITUATIONAL RESPONSE	AGREE TO SOME EXTENT			STRONGLY AGREE
Society in general seems to accept extroverts.	STRONGLY DISAGREE			DISAGREE TO SOME EXTENT		SITUATIONAL RESPONSE	AGREE TO SOME EXTENT			STRONGLY AGREE
Society in general should accept extroverts.	STRONGLY DISAGREE			DISAGREE TO SOME EXTENT		SITUATIONAL RESPONSE	AGREE TO SOME EXTENT			STRONGLY AGREE
It is healthy to be an introvert.	STRONGLY DISAGREE			DISAGREE TO SOME EXTENT		SITUATIONAL RESPONSE	AGREE TO SOME EXTENT			STRONGLY AGREE
It is healthy to be an extrovert.	STRONGLY DISAGREE			DISAGREE TO SOME EXTENT		SITUATIONAL RESPONSE	AGREE TO SOME EXTENT			STRONGLY AGREE
It is healthier to be an ambivert than a pure introvert or extrovert.	STRONGLY DISAGREE			DISAGREE TO SOME EXTENT		SITUATIONAL RESPONSE	AGREE TO SOME EXTENT			STRONGLY AGREE
Behavioral differences are driven by…			GENETICS (NATURE)			BOTH		ENVIRONMENT (NURTURE)

This concludes the update at this point in my research.  Until I talk with you again, learn how to talk at parties (for all of you current introverts) and to appreciate personal time by yourself (for all of you current extroverts).





Works Cited
Breed, Michael D. and  Leticia Sanchez.  "Both Environment and Genetic Makeup Influence Behavior."  Scitable.  Nature Education, 2010.  Web.  20 Nov. 2014.  <http://www.nature.com/>.