A comparison of the personality dimensions and behavior changes that occur during solitary and co‐occupation

Abstract

Objective: This exploratory study is part of a larger research project that investigated the physiological, psychological and behavioral aspects of engagement in occupation. The objective of the study reported here was to examine the differences in behavioral and personality characteristics during participation in a shared activity (co‐occupation) and in a solitary activity (solitary occupation). Method: Twelve healthy college students aged 19–24 years old participated in Yahtzee with two levels of engagement (solitary and co‐occupation). Behavior was video recorded, coded and analyzed. Personality style was determined using the NEO‐FFI. Non‐parametric statistics determined the differences in behavior of each subject across both types of engagement (solitary versus cooccupation). Spearman rank (Spearman's rho) correlation coefficient and independent T‐tests were used to determine the relation and differences between personality, behavior and type of engagement. Results: Statistically significant differences in behavior performance were found across type of engagement (co‐occupation versus solitary). There were no statistically significant findings related to the type of personality. Conclusion: Engagement in the co‐occupation of game playing may influence information exchange behaviors and physicality behaviors. The findings lend support to Pickens and Pizur‐Barnekow's model of co‐occupation, which proposes that co‐occupation is characterized by shared physicality and emotionality.