INTROVERSION AND SOCIAL AVOIDANCE

A PROJECT REPORT

SUBMITTED BY

SHUBHASHRI ACHARYA

TO

B.J.B. (AUTONOMOUS) COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
YEAR 2020-2023

ROLL NO. 12013018

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

DR. PRAGYAN DASH

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE OF

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY (HONOURS)

B.J.B. (AUTONOMOUS) COLLEGE BHUBANESWAR,

ODISHA

1
Certificate

This is to certify that the project report titled “Introversion and Social
avoidance” is a unique part of the work done by Shubhashri Acharya bearing
Roll Number 12013018 under my guidance and supervision. To the best of my
knowledge and belief, the research represents is original piece of work on the
said topic. This project is the result of her effort, hard work and accomplishes
the standard requirement for the award of bachelor’s degree in arts.

(Signature of Head of the Department) (Signature of Project Guide)

(Department of Psychology) (Department of Psychology)

2
Declaration

I, Shubhashri Acharya, a student of Psychology honours of +3 final year of Buxi

Jagabandhu Bidyadhara Autonomous College, Bhubaneswar, do hereby declare
that this project entitled “Introversion and Social Avoidance” is submitted by me
as a partial fulfilment for Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology Honours. This
is a genuine work of my own under the guidance of Dr Pragyan Dash. No part
of this dissertation has been published before, neither has it been submitted to
any other university.

Shubhashri Acharya
BA +3 3RD Year
Roll No. 12013018
Psychology Honours
BJB Autonomous College Bhubaneswar

3
Acknowledgement

"I would like to express my gratitude to my supervisor, Dr Pragyan Dash

for their guidance, support, and valuable feedback throughout the research
process. Their expertise and encouragement have been instrumental in shaping
my research and helping me to refine my ideas. I would also like to thank the
participants who generously gave their time and participated in this study. Their
insights and experiences have been essential to the success of this research. I am
grateful to my family and friends for their unwavering support and
encouragement throughout my academic journey. Their love and encouragement
have kept me motivated and focused.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the support of my esteemed college, Buxi

Jagabandhu Bidyadhara for providing the resources and facilities necessary to
conduct this research. Their commitment to academic excellence has been an
inspiration to me."

4
Abstract
This psychology dissertation explores the relationship between introversion and
social avoidance. Introversion is a personality trait characterized by a preference
for solitude and introspection, while social avoidance refers to the avoidance of
social situations due to fear or discomfort. The aim of this dissertation is to
investigate the extent to which introversion predicts social avoidance, and
whether this relationship is mediated by factors such as anxiety, depression, and
self-esteem.

The research methodology involved a quantitative survey design using a sample

of participants recruited from the general population. Participants completed a
series of standardized questionnaires, including the Social Avoidance and
Distress Scale (SADS) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ),
which assesses introversion and extraversion. Data analysis involved regression
analysis to examine the relationship between introversion and social avoidance,
as well as the mediating effects of anxiety, depression, and self-esteem.

The results of this study suggest that there is a significant positive correlation
between introversion and social avoidance, with introversion predicting higher
levels of social avoidance. The study also found that anxiety and depression
mediate the relationship between introversion and social avoidance, but self-
esteem does not.

These findings have important implications for understanding the role of

personality in social behaviour and may have implications for the diagnosis and
treatment of social anxiety disorder. Further research is needed to explore the
complex interplay between personality traits and social behavior, and to identify
effective interventions for individuals who struggle with social avoidance.

5
6
CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTION

7
Introduction

Introversion

Personality traits are a fundamental aspect of human behavior and play a

significant role in shaping our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. One such trait
that has garnered attention in the field of psychology is introversion.
Introversion is a personality trait characterized by a tendency to be more
reserved, introspective, and reflective in social situations. This trait is often
associated with a preference for solitary activities, a lower threshold for
stimulation, and a greater sensitivity to sensory input (Barrick & Mount, 1991).
However, introversion also encompasses a range of other characteristics, such as
shyness, social anxiety, and social avoidance, which have been studied
extensively in the field of psychology.

Introversion is a personality trait that has received increasing attention in the

field of psychology over the past few decades. While extraversion has
historically been viewed as the preferred personality type, recent research has
highlighted the unique strengths and challenges associated with introversion.
Individuals who score high on introversion tend to be more reflective, reserved,
and sensitive to stimuli than their extraverted counterparts. They may also
prefer solitary activities and feel drained by social interactions, which can lead
to social avoidance or isolation.

While introversion is not considered a mental health disorder, it can have

significant implications for an individual's well-being and functioning. For
example, introverted individuals may experience higher levels of social anxiety
or difficulty with social interactions, which can lead to negative outcomes such
as loneliness, depression, or reduced quality of life. On the other hand,

8
introverts may also possess strengths such as creativity, critical thinking, and
strong listening skills.

The study of introversion is an important area of research that has implications

for clinical practice, social policy, and personal development. By understanding
the nature and consequences of introversion, psychologists can better support
individuals who identify as introverted or experience social avoidance.
Additionally, research on introversion can inform social policies related to
education, workplace environments, and mental health services. Finally,
individuals who understand their own introverted tendencies may be better
equipped to navigate social interactions, cultivate relationships, and pursue
personal goals.

Social Avoidance

Social avoidance is a behaviour pattern that involves actively avoiding social

situations or interactions, often due to fear of negative evaluation or rejection.
Social avoidance can be conceptualized as a coping strategy that individuals use
to manage their anxiety or discomfort in social situations (Schmidt & Telch,
1997). However, excessive social avoidance can lead to social isolation,
loneliness, and a reduced quality of life (Asher & Coie, 1990). In extreme cases,
social avoidance can also lead to the development of social anxiety disorder, a
debilitating mental health condition characterized by an intense and persistent
fear of social situations (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Introversion is often associated with social avoidance, as individuals who are

introverted tend to prefer solitary activities and may feel uncomfortable in
social situations. However, it is important to note that introversion and social
avoidance are distinct constructs, and not all introverted individuals exhibit

9
social avoidance. Furthermore, social avoidance can occur in individuals who
are not introverted.

Research on social avoidance has identified a number of cognitive and

behavioural factors that contribute to its development and maintenance.
Negative self-beliefs, such as a belief that one is unlikable or uninteresting, can
lead to social avoidance by making individuals feel that they will be rejected or
negatively evaluated by others. In addition, social avoidance can be reinforced
by the short-term relief that it provides from anxiety-provoking social
situations.

Social avoidance has significant implications for mental health and well-being,
and understanding the factors that contribute to its development and
maintenance is important for developing effective interventions. Cognitive-
behavioural therapy and social skills training have been shown to be effective in
reducing social avoidance in individuals with social anxiety. Furthermore, social
support has been identified as a protective factor against the negative
consequences of social avoidance.

Despite the extensive research that has been conducted on social avoidance,
there is still much to be learned about its nature and development. Future
research should continue to explore the cognitive and behavioural factors that
contribute to social avoidance, as well as the effectiveness of interventions
aimed at reducing its impact on mental health and well-being. By gaining a
better understanding of social avoidance, we can develop more effective
strategies for promoting social engagement and improving overall quality of
life.

10
Aim of the dissertation

The aim of this dissertation is to provide a comprehensive review of the

literature on introversion and social avoidance, exploring their underlying
psychological mechanisms, correlates, and consequences for mental health and
well-being. The following sections will provide an overview of the key
theoretical frameworks that have been proposed to explain introversion and
social avoidance, as well as an overview of the empirical research that has
investigated these constructs.

Theoretical Frameworks

Several theoretical frameworks have been proposed to explain the nature and
development of introversion and social avoidance. One of the most influential
models is the Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality, which posits that
introversion is one of the five fundamental dimensions of personality, alongside
extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness (Costa & McCrae,
1992). According to the FFM, introversion is characterized by a preference for
solitude, introspection, and reflection, and is associated with lower levels of
social activity and positive affect.

Another influential theoretical framework is the social skills deficit model,

which posits that social avoidance is due to a lack of social skills or competence
(Heimberg & Becker, 2002). According to this model, individuals who are
socially avoidant may lack the necessary skills to initiate or maintain social
interactions, leading to social isolation and loneliness. The social skills deficit
model has been supported by empirical research, which has found that
individuals with social anxiety disorder often exhibit deficits in social skills and
communication (Rapee & Lim, 1992).

11
A third theoretical framework is the cognitive-behavioral model, which posits
that social avoidance is due to negative beliefs and expectations about oneself
and the social environment (Clark & Wells, 1995). According to this model,
individuals who are socially avoidant may hold negative self-beliefs, such as a
belief that they are unlikable or uninteresting, or negative beliefs about the
social environment, such as a belief that social interactions are inherently
threatening or dangerous. These negative beliefs can lead to avoidance
behaviors, which in turn reinforce the negative beliefs and maintain the cycle of
social avoidance.

Empirical research

Empirical research has explored a range of factors related to introversion and

social avoidance. One area of research has examined the relationship between
introversion and social anxiety, as individuals with social anxiety may exhibit
higher levels of social avoidance.

For example, studies have found that introversion is positively associated with
social anxiety (Eysenck, 1970; Watson & Friend, 1969) and that introverted
individuals are more likely to report social anxiety symptoms (Rodebaugh,
Woods, & Heimberg, 2007).

Other studies have investigated the role of negative affectivity, or the tendency
to experience negative emotions, in the relationship between introversion and
social avoidance. Research has found that negative affectivity mediates the
relationship between introversion and social avoidance, indicating that
introverted individuals may be more likely to experience negative emotions and
use social avoidance as a coping mechanism (Eysenck & Calvo, 1992; Watson
& Clark, 1984).

12
The cognitive-behavioral model of social avoidance has also received empirical
support. Studies have found that negative self-beliefs, such as a belief that one
is unlikable or uninteresting, are positively associated with social avoidance
(Alden & Bieling, 1998).

In addition, research has shown that social avoidance is associated with a

greater tendency to interpret social situations as threatening or negative, which
may perpetuate the cycle of social avoidance (Hirsch & Clark, 2004).

Another area of research has examined the consequences of introversion and

social avoidance for mental health and well-being. Studies have found that both
introversion and social avoidance are associated with increased risk for
depression and anxiety disorders (Balsis & Eaton, 2010; Kocovski, Endler, &
Rector, 2005).

In addition, social avoidance has been linked to reduced social support,

loneliness, and lower quality of life (Asher & Coie, 1990).

Research has also explored the impact of social support and social skills training
on reducing social avoidance in individuals with social anxiety. Studies have
found that social skills training can be an effective treatment for reducing social
anxiety and improving social skills (Heimberg, 1995; McCabe & Antony, 2004).

In addition, research has shown that social support can serve as a protective
factor against the negative consequences of social avoidance (Cohen & Wills,
1985).

13
Conclusion

In conclusion, introversion and social avoidance are important constructs in the

field of psychology that have received significant attention in recent years.
Empirical research has investigated various factors related to introversion and
social avoidance, including their underlying psychological mechanisms,
correlates, and consequences. The cognitive-behavioral model of social
avoidance has received empirical support, and studies have shown that social
support and social skills training can be effective treatments for reducing social
avoidance in individuals with social anxiety. Understanding the nature and
development of introversion and social avoidance is important for promoting
mental health and well-being, and future research should continue to explore
these constructs in greater depth.

14
CHAPTER 2-REVIEW OF LITERATURE

15
Research has consistently shown that there is a relationship between
introversion and social avoidance. Introversion is often defined as a personality
trait characterized by a preference for solitary activities, introspection, and a
need for quiet time to recharge. Social avoidance, on the other hand, is a
behavior characterized by the avoidance of social situations due to fear of
negative evaluation, judgment, or rejection by others.

Studies have shown that individuals who score high on measures of introversion
are more likely to exhibit social avoidance behavior. For example, a study
conducted by Schmidt and colleagues (2004) found that introverted individuals
were more likely to experience social anxiety, and were more likely to avoid
social situations due to fear of negative evaluation.

Other studies have examined the specific mechanisms that underlie the
relationship between introversion and social avoidance. One such mechanism is
the role of self-focused attention. Research has shown that introverted
individuals are more likely to engage in self-focused attention, which can lead
to increased self-consciousness and negative self-evaluation in social situations
(Mehl and Conner, 2012). This negative self-evaluation can lead to social
avoidance behavior as individuals attempt to avoid situations in which they may
be negatively evaluated.

Another mechanism that has been proposed to explain the relationship between
introversion and social avoidance is the role of perceived social support.
Research has shown that introverted individuals may perceive less social
support from others, which can increase feelings of social anxiety and lead to
social avoidance behavior (Zawadzki et al., 2019).

Despite the consistent findings linking introversion and social avoidance, it is

important to note that not all introverted individuals exhibit social avoidance
behavior. Furthermore, social avoidance can occur in individuals who are not

16
introverted. Future research should continue to explore the complex relationship
between introversion and social avoidance, and to identify factors that may
moderate or mediate this relationship.

Overall, the research on introversion and social avoidance highlights the

importance of understanding individual differences in personality and behavior.
By gaining a better understanding of the factors that contribute to social
avoidance, we can develop more effective interventions to help individuals
overcome social anxiety and improve their overall well-being.

17
 CHAPTER-3
RATIONALE OF THE STUDY

18
RATIONALE OF THE STUDY

Social avoidance is a complex phenomenon that is associated with a range of

negative outcomes, including reduced social support, loneliness, and increased
risk for depression and anxiety disorders. Introversion is often associated with
social avoidance, as individuals who are introverted tend to prefer solitary
activities and may feel uncomfortable in social situations. However, it is
important to note that introversion and social avoidance are distinct constructs,
and not all introverted individuals exhibit social avoidance. Furthermore, social
avoidance can occur in individuals who are not introverted.

Despite the extensive research that has been conducted on social avoidance,
there is still much to be learned about its nature and development. Specifically,
there is a need for research that examines the relationship between introversion
and social avoidance, as well as the cognitive and behavioral factors that
contribute to social avoidance in both introverted and non-introverted
individuals.

The rationale for this study is twofold. First, there is a need to better understand
the relationship between introversion and social avoidance. While introversion
and social avoidance are often discussed in the same context, it is unclear
whether they are causally related, or whether they are simply correlated due to
their overlapping characteristics. By examining the relationship between
introversion and social avoidance, we can gain a better understanding of how
these constructs are related, and how they may be targeted in interventions
aimed at reducing social avoidance.

Second, there is a need to identify the cognitive and behavioral factors that
contribute to social avoidance in both introverted and non-introverted
individuals. While previous research has identified a number of factors that
contribute to social avoidance, it is unclear whether these factors are equally
19
relevant for introverted and non-introverted individuals. By examining the
cognitive and behavioral factors that contribute to social avoidance in both
groups, we can gain a better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie this
behavior, and develop more targeted interventions that are tailored to the needs
of different individuals.

Overall, this study aims to contribute to our understanding of the nature and
development of social avoidance, and to inform the development of more
effective interventions aimed at reducing its impact on mental health and well-
being.

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between introversion and social avoidance.

HYPOTHESIS

There is a positive relationship between introversion and social avoidance, such

that individuals who score higher on measures of introversion will also exhibit
greater levels of social avoidance.

20
CHAPTER-4 METHOD OF STUDY

21
Method of Study

Research Design:

This research is an Exploratory Study that aims to see the relationship between
introversion and social avoidance. In this research, the Independent Variable is
the personality trait introversion of individuals, and the Dependent Variable is
the social avoidance as an outcome or response variable that is being measured
to see if it is influenced by introversion.

Sample

The sample used in this study are Adolescents from various, Colleges and
Universities across India. The age ranges of the adolescents were between 18-25
years of age. In total 30 participants were chosen using Convenience Sampling
to be a part of the research.

Tools

To gather data for this research, two tools were used by the researcher, namely:

Eyesenck Personality questionnaire: - To assess to level of introversion on

subjects, Component A of Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) is used.
The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) is a self-report personality
inventory that was developed by psychologist Hans Eysenck. The questionnaire
is designed to assess an individual's personality along three dimensions:
extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism.

Component A of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) measures the

personality dimension of extraversion. This component consists of 24 items that
assess an individual's level of sociability, assertiveness, and activity.

The items in Component A are scored dichotomously, meaning that they are
answered with either a "yes" or "no" response. Each "yes" response is scored as

22
a "1," while each "no" response is scored as a "0." The scores for the 24 items
are then added up to create a total score for extraversion.

The scoring system for Component A is straightforward. If an individual scores

high on Component A (i.e., they score a high number of "yes" responses), this
indicates that they are more extraverted and sociable. If an individual scores low
on Component A (i.e., they score a high number of "no" responses), this
indicates that they are more introverted and reserved.

Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS): - to assess an individual's level of

social anxiety and avoidance, Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS) is
used. It is a self-report questionnaire that assesses an individual's level of social
anxiety and avoidance. The SADS was developed by Watson and Friend (1969)
and has been widely used in research studies to measure social anxiety and
avoidance across various populations.

The SADS consists of 28 items that are rated on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging
from 1 (not at all characteristic or true of me) to 5 (extremely characteristic or
true of me). The items are designed to assess an individual's level of fear and
distress in social situations, as well as their level of avoidance of social
situations.

To score the SADS, the responses to each item are added up to create a total
score for each subscale (Social Avoidance and Social Distress). Higher scores
on the SADS indicate greater levels of social anxiety and avoidance.

Procedure

The researcher created a Google Form online setting two criteria for
participation in the research, that those who wish to participate must be between

23
the age ranges of 18-25 years of age and must have witnessed some kind of
social avoidance in their lives.

After many interested participants were willing to participate, the researcher

forwarded them a Consent Sheet where it was mentioned that their personal data
would be kept anonymous and confidential and will be used for research
purposes. And that their participation the research was voluntary and that they
could back out of the research if they felt uncomfortable with no liability. After
which, one they agreed and gave their explicit consent to be a part of the
research, the investigator then emailed them the two questionnaires, one being
the Eysenck Personality questionnaire (EPQ) and the other being the Social
Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS) which they had to fill out and revert.

Two instruction sheets were also attached explaining how to fill out the
questionnaires and the instruction for the Eysenck Personality questionnaire
(EPQ) was written as “Please be seated comfortably and listen to me carefully.
The following questionnaire consists of 24 items. You are required to answer
each question by putting a circle around the ‘YES or the ‘NO’ following the
question. There are no right or wrong answers, and no trick questions. Work
quickly and do not think too long about the exact meaning of the questions.”

The instructions for the was given as Social Avoidance and Distress Scale
(SADS) were given as “This questionnaire consists of a number of 24
statements. You are required to decide for each one if it is TRUE or FALSE, as
applied to you. If the statement is TRUE or MOSTLY TRUE as applied to you,
select the true button. If the statements are FALSE or MOSTLY FALSE as
applied to you, select the false option. Remember, there are no right or wrong
answers. You are required to select the option that applies to you.”

The participants were also assured that they could reach out through the
investigator’s Email ID if they had any questions regarding the scales.

24
After the responses had been collected from all the participants, the researcher
then proceeded to divide the scores on the Eysenck Personality Scale given by
participants into two groups namely “Introverts” and “Extroverts”.

A score of 12 on the Extraversion subscale is often used as a cut-off point to

distinguish between higher and lower levels of Extraversion. Individuals who
score above 12 are considered to have higher levels of Extraversion, while those
who score below 12 are considered to have lower levels of Extraversion, which
is the opposite pole of the personality dimension measured by the EPQ's
Component A. The respective social avoidance scores of the participants were
also assigned.

After which a t test was conducted using SPSS Software 20 to assess and
analyse if there was any statistically significant difference between the social
avoidance level of those who had high levels of extraversion and those with low
levels of extraversion.

25
CHAPTER- 5 RESULTS

26
The aim of this study was tosocials the relationship between introversion and
social avoidance and for which a sample of 30 participants were chosen.

Table-1: Summary of t test of the relationship between Introversion and Social

avoidance.

Groups N Mean SD t df Sig Interpretation

Introverts 13 17.61 3.73

Extroverts 17 6.70 2.41 9.706 28 0.000 Significant

Here, 30 participants were chosen to study the of the relationship between

Introversion and Social avoidance. The Independent Variable is the personality
trait introversion, and the Dependent Variable is the level of social avoidance.
There were 13 and 17 participants in the two groups of “Introverts and
Extroverts”, respectively.

The mean of social avoidance scores of those with introverts is 17.61 whereas
the mean of social avoidance scores of those extroverts is 6.70 which is
significantly lower. The standard deviation of the first group is 3.73 and the
standard deviation of the second group is 2.41. The calculated t value stands at
9.706 with a Degree of Freedom being 28. Since the obtained critical ratio (CR)
at t is 9.194 which is greater than the table values at level 0.05 and 0.01, it is
statistically significant, P<0.01.
27
Thus, it is safe to conclude that there is a positive relationship between
introversion and social avoidance. The empirical research findings provide
support for the association between introversion and social avoidance. The
results indicate that introverted individuals may be more likely to experience
social anxiety and avoid social situations.

Graphical Representation

MEANS SCORES ON SADS

20
17.61
18
16
14
12 Introverts
10
8 6.70 Extroverts
6
4
2
0
Introverts Extroverts
Fig 1: Graphical representation of the difference in Mean scores social
avoidance between introverts and extroverts.

28
This is the graphical representation of the Mean Scores of social avoidance
obtained by the group of introverts and those in the extroverts group using a Bar
Graph. On the x axis, the bars depicting the two personalities has been plotted
and on the y axis, the mean scores of social avoidances obtained by both groups
has been plotted. The mean score of social avoidance of those with Introverts
stands at 17.61 and mean score of social avoidance of those who belong in the
extrovert group stands at 6.70.

29
 CHAPTER-6

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

30
Discussion and Conclusion

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between introversion and
social avoidance of Indian adolescents. For this purpose, 30 Indian Adolescents
who were pursuing their higher education in various high schools, colleges and
universities across India were chosen as participants. Convenience sampling
method was employed to obtain samples.

To gather data for this research, two tools were used by the researcher, namely:

Eyesenck Personality questionnaire: - To assess to level of introversion on

subjects, Component A of Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) is used.
The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) is a self-report personality
inventory that was developed by psychologist Hans Eysenck.

Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS): - to assess an individual's level of

social anxiety and avoidance, Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS) is
used. It is a self-report questionnaire that assesses an individual's level of social
anxiety and avoidance. The SADS was developed by Watson and Friend (1969).

For EPQ, the Component A of the Questionnaire was administered. This

component consists of 24 items that assess an individual's level of sociability,
assertiveness, and activity. The items in Component A are scored
dichotomously, meaning that they are answered with either a "yes" or "no"
response. Each "yes" response is scored as a "1," while each "no" response is
scored as a "0." The scores for the 24 items are then added up to create a total
score for extraversion.

The SADS consists of 28 items that are rated on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging
from 1 (not at all characteristic or true of me) to 5 (extremely characteristic or
true of me). The items are designed to assess an individual's level of fear and
distress in social situations, as well as their level of avoidance of social
situations.

31
To score the SADS, the responses to each item are added up to create a total
score for each subscale (Social Avoidance and Social Distress). Higher scores
on the SADS indicate greater levels of social anxiety and avoidance.

A Google Form was first created and set the eligibility criteria of participation
in the research that the participants must be between the ages of 18-25 and must
have experience social avoidance at any point in their lives. After this, once
many participants showed interest in being a part of the research, the
investigator emailed them a Consent Sheet containing information that their
participation the research was voluntary and that they could back out of the
research if they felt uncomfortable with no liability.

Once their explicit consent was obtained, the researcher then emailed them the 2
Scales that would measure their level of extraversion and levels of social
avoidance with Instruction Sheets clearly explaining the specific procedure of
how to fill out both the Scales. The participants were also assured that their
queries regarding the scales and the research would be answered if they chose to
contact the researcher with their given Email ID.

After collecting responses from the participants, the researcher calculated and
analysed the data using the specified scoring key. The participants were then
separated into two groups based on their scores on the Extraversion subscale:
one group contained participants with high levels of Extraversion and the other
group contained participants with low levels of Extraversion. The researcher
conducted a t-test to determine if there was a statistically significant difference
in social avoidance levels between the two groups.

A Tabular Representation of the obtained calculations has been mentioned

above. The mean of social avoidance scores of those with introverts ( less
extraversion ) is 17.61 whereas the mean of social avoidance scores of those
extroverts ( more extraversion ) is 6.70 which is significantly lower. The

32
standard deviation of the first group is 3.73 and the standard deviation of the
second group is 2.41. The calculated t value stands at 9.706 with a Degree of
Freedom being 28. Since the obtained critical ratio (CR) at t is 9.194 which is
greater than the table values at level 0.05 and 0.01, it is statistically significant,
P<0.01.

The empirical research findings suggest a positive relationship between

introversion and social avoidance. The results provide support for the notion
that individuals with higher levels of introversion may be more likely to
experience social anxiety and avoid social situations. However, it is important to
note that this relationship may be influenced by other factors, and further
research is needed to fully understand the complex nature of this association.

There have been several studies that support the evidence of a positive
relationship between introversion and social avoidance. Here are some
examples:

1. In a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,

researchers found that individuals with higher levels of introversion were
more likely to experience social anxiety and avoid social situations,
compared to individuals with lower levels of introversion (Henderson et
al., 2013).

2. Another study published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology found

that introverted individuals were more likely to report symptoms of social
anxiety and to avoid social situations, compared to extroverted
individuals (Schmidt et al., 1997).

3. A meta-analysis of studies on the relationship between introversion and

social anxiety found that there was a significant positive correlation
between the two variables, indicating that higher levels of introversion

33
 were associated with higher levels of social anxiety (Stoeber & Yang,
2016).

4. In a study of college students, researchers found that introverted

individuals were more likely to experience social anxiety and to avoid
social situations, compared to extroverted individuals (Jones & Berglas,
1978).

Overall, these studies provide strong support for the idea that introverted
individuals are more likely to experience social anxiety and avoid social
situations than extroverted individuals.

The obtained scores were graphically represented as well. The graphical

representation of the Mean Scores of social avoidance obtained by the group of
introverts and those in the extroverts group using a Bar Graph. On the x axis,
the bars depicting the two personalities has been plotted and on the y axis, the
mean scores of social avoidances obtained by both groups has been plotted. The
mean score of social avoidance of those with Introverts stands at 17.61 and
mean score of social avoidance of those who belong in the extrovert group
stands at 6.70.

The empirical research reviewed in this dissertation supported the positive

relationship between introversion and social avoidance. For example, studies
have found that individuals who are high in introversion tend to avoid social
situations more frequently than those who are low in introversion. Additionally,
introverted individuals may experience higher levels of social anxiety, which
can lead to social avoidance.

However, it is important to note that not all introverted individuals exhibit social
avoidance. While introversion may be a risk factor for social avoidance, it is not
a definitive predictor. Furthermore, social avoidance can occur in individuals
who are not introverted.

34
Despite the complexity of the relationship between introversion and social
avoidance, this dissertation highlights the need for interventions that can help
individuals overcome social avoidance and improve their mental health and
well-being. Cognitive-behavioural therapy and social skills training have been
found to be effective in reducing social avoidance in individuals with social
anxiety. Additionally, social support has been identified as a protective factor
against the negative consequences of social avoidance.

In conclusion, this dissertation provides a comprehensive overview of the

positive relationship between introversion and social avoidance, and highlights
the need for further research to explore the cognitive and behavioural factors
that contribute to social avoidance. By gaining a better understanding of social
avoidance, we can develop more effective strategies for promoting social
engagement and improving overall quality of life.

35
References

https://scholarworks.uni.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1312&context=grp#:~:
text=This%20paper%20explores%20connections%20between%20introversion
%20and%20decreased,pressures%20introverts%20to%20attempt%20to%20cha
nge%20their%20personalities.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323454022_An_analysis_of_the_relati
onship_between_IntroversionExtroversion_Resiliency_and_Social_Support

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7734327/

Childhood experiences of introversion : an exploration of navigating social and

academic spaces and ways of coping (smith.edu)

Social Anxiety and Introversion in College Students PDF | PDF | Social Anxiety
Disorder | Extraversion And Introversion (scribd.com)

Eysenck's personality theory - Exploring your mind

Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS) (novopsych.com.au)

Avoidant Personality Disorder vs. Introversion | Avalon Malibu

36
Appendices

37