Reminiscence and pursuit rotor performance in introverts, extraverts and neurotics.

Abstract

In an investigation of Eysenck's theory, two groups of college‐age subjects were formed on the basis of extraversion and neuroticism scores obtained on the Maudsley Personality Inventory. They differed significantly in degree of measured extraversion but were comparable in mean neuroticism scores. A third group was formed from the same population which was comparable to the introverted group (above) in degree of extraversion but was significantly higher than it in mean neuroticism. Each group performed a standard pursuit rotor task in the following manner: 5 min. continuous practice; 10 min. rest; 5 min. practice. Mean reminiscence scores were obtained for each group; overall performance curves were also plotted. Results for normal introverts and extraverts agreed with predictions and with earlier studies. Comparison of reminiscence scores for normal and neurotic introverts suggested that Eysenck's assumption of a positive relation between neuroticism and reminiscence at lower and medium levels of neuroticism is essentially correct. Differences in overall performance among the three groups were explained by separating the act of responding from the act of responding accurately. It was felt that the neurotic group responded inaccurately and thus had less time on target than the introverts with whom they were compared, even though the neurotics spent more time responding than both other groups. A further experiment to test this assumption is suggested.