Effects of perceptual isolation on introverts and extraverts

Abstract

RECENTLY there has been increasing attention directed to “perceptual isolation” or “sensory deprivation” as a stressful condition. Extensive reviews of this literature are available in other sources (SOLOMON, et al.(l)) and will not be repeated here. Within the framework of Jungian theory, sensory deprivation phenomena such as hallucinations and daydreams can be interpreted as concomitant features of the process of introversion. When the environment becomes very stressful by virtue of its ambiguity, there is a turning away from reality to fantasy. If there is no meaningful information in the environment there is no way for the ego to mediate between unconscious forces and external reality. Action and judgment are no longer possibilities, consequently there must be some substitute for action. This substitute is provided by the introverted type of thinking with the ascendance of the “archaic forces of the unconscious” in the form of hallucination, fantasy, changes in affect, daydreams. Out of this formulation arises a question regarding the reactions of the individual whose usual attitude is introversive, in the Jungian sense, to the conditions of perceptual isolation. If introversion refers to a progressive withdrawal from reality, it should be expected that individuals on the extreme end of this dimension would be little affected by sensory alterations and perceptual changes in the environment. It is the purpose of this study to investigate the following hypotheses : 1. Introverts are able to tolerate perceptual isolation better than extraverts. 2. Introverts show smaller changes in emotional experiences as a function of perceptual isolation than do extraverts. For the purposes of this study, a change in emotional experience is defined as a change in ratings of words on the Semantic Differential.