Effects of introversion-extraversion on continuous recognition memory

Abstract

Introverted and extraverted subjects performed a continuous recognition memory task, indicating on a 5-point scale whether each item was new or old. Analysis of the data by signal detection theory measures indicated that introverts adopted a more stringent response criterion than extraverts, but that there was no effect of introversion-extraversion on sensitivity or d’. Some of the theoretical implications of these and other findings are discussed. Since selfreported arousal levels were unrelated to performance, it may be inappropriate to interpret the effects of introversion-extraversion in terms of differences in chronic arousal level between introverts and extraverts. © 1980, The Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.