Research Team

There were ten researchers in the team who had a good knowledge of the qualitative research. Authors placed from third to tenth numbers contributed in collecting, processing and analysing the data, and preparing the first draft while the first two authors conceptualized, monitored and prepared the final draft of the manuscript. All the authors were well practised in qualitative studies. The differences in their age, experiences and academic background were minimized by a regular discussion.

Recruitment of the Participant

The study was conducted during July 2019 and March 2020. No compensation was paid to the participants for their participation in the study. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University [BLINDED FOR REVIEW]. The inclusion criteria for the introverts and extraverts were their scores above 75 percentile and below 25 percentile on the personality measure (Tiwari et al., 2009), respectively. The participants were debriefed about the basic goals of the study and gave written consent. The participants were chosen through a purposive sampling method which has been suggested to be useful when the goal of the research is to explore about the experiences more relevant to the phenomenon of interest (Creswell, 2014). Only the adults were chosen as they were easily available and represented an information-rich group and were able to describe and reflect upon the experiences of happiness (Patton, 2015). The sample size was sufficient as it was beyond the recommended size of 12 for qualitative study using purposive sampling (Guest et al., 2012).

Data Collection

A semi-structured interview protocol was used to collect the data. The structure of the protocol was developed as per the study goals which were identified in the beginning. The interviews were conducted thoroughly focusing on the goals of the study which took 63 to 81 min. To be completed (Mean length = 72.16 min.). The questions were the meaning of happiness, causes and sources of happiness of the introverts and extraverts. Device available in mobile phones were used to record the contents of the interviews which were later transcribed verbatim. Initially, some consensus meetings and a pilot study on 5 participants (2 introverts and 3 extraverts) were conducted to develop a preliminary interview protocol. These data were not included in the final analysis. These initial efforts helped to make decisions and the ability of the participants that they will be able to report their experiences of happiness. The saturation was indicated when no new themes and codes emerged from additional interviews consistent with the research questions (Saunders et al., 2018). The saturation was reached after the completion of 41 data and 8 more interviews were conducted to confirm it.

Data Analysis                                                                 

The thematic analysis method was used to analyze data. It consists of organizing and preparing, obtaining a general sense, coding, generating categories or themes and interpreting the data (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Confidentiality was maintained by assigning codes to each participant whereas multiple scrutinies of the data and codes determined the reliability. The data were read again and again to enhance the acquaintance of the contents and meaning inherent in the interview contents and to develop insights (Barbour, 2001). According to the suggestions of Guest et al. (2012), these generated codes were organized, merged and re-categorized to identifying relevant codes. The analysis of the data was completed with the help of inductive and deductive thematic analysis method (Braun & Clarke, 2006).
A codebook was maintained to keep a vigil on the incorporations and deletions of the codes. After generating codes, they were assessed and reviewed for the sake of appropriate modifications and revisions. The assessments and reviews helped to find out codes and refrain from irrelevant ones. An iterative approach was employed until the complete analysis to enhance the quality of coding. A gap of one week was observed to reduce the distortion due to over-involvement in the data (Braun & Clarke, 2016; Guest et al., 2012). These efforts facilitated to come up with the final codes and relevant themes. Methodological integrity was achieved with the help of regular discussions, evaluation, focus, dependable analysis and managing a codebook.

Results

The analyses resulted in five major themes: dissimilarities in the conceptualizations of happiness, inclination towards happiness, loci of happiness and the sources of happiness. A summary of the major findings have been presented in Table 2. (Note: M = Male Participant, F = Female Participant, I = Introvert, E = Extravert and the numerals = Serial number of the participants).

Theme 1: Dissimilar conceptualizations of happiness

Introverts and extraverts reported significant differences in their meanings and conceptualizations of happiness. Introverts reported durability, permanency, calmness and meaningfulness as the core of their happiness (For me, happiness emanates from involving oneself in the logical and realistic activities leading to satisfaction and security). Calmness, meaningfulness, self-sufficiency, systematicity and orderliness, rational end, quality, intrapersonal logical acts, self-reflective actions, emotion suppression, less-adherence to the social norm and less cheerful were the core features of the perceived happiness of the introverts.
 Introverts reported that lesser number of friends makes it to manage life well while a larger number of friends always make disturbance and place demands which make it difficult to carry out important tasks of life.
I feel happy about making a lesser number of friends. It helps me to avoid unnecessary interpersonal conflicts and negative competitions. (M_I_9)
The larger number of friends place multiple demands that directly disturb my routine and activities. (F_I_5)
Instead of making too many relationships, I find satisfaction and happiness in limited and close relationships. (F_I_8)
The introverts reported happiness in activities which were comparatively solitary and required a small number of persons.
I enjoy reading books as it helps to understand the meanings of various aspects of life. (F_I_2)
I enjoy a movie alone with a rational and meaningful end. (M_I_5)
I never wait for much anyone for gossip or anything for help or games. (M_I_1)
Their lifestyle is more systematic and orderly. They liked to place things in a systematic manner which gave satisfaction and happiness.
I keep my things in a systematic manner that gives me satisfaction and ease. (M_I_12)
When I get free time, I devote it to arrange the things around me. I help my family to keep things a good and approachable order. (M_I_5)
I like to think and imagine things about my life which satisfy me a lot. (F_I_5)
The inverts reported that they liked to maintain closeness and durable relationships that gave them security and dependability.
I like informality in relationships. True and inner nature is important for a good relationship. (M_I_3)
I enjoy solving problems that demand challenge and grey matter. (M_I_11)
The emotional expressions of the introverts were reported to be comparatively restricted and controlled.
I do not like laughing openly. I usually like to remain serious. (F_I_7)
I like to say jokes and laugh with my close friends and family members. (M_I_12)
I hesitate to laugh in front of strangers. (M_I_11)
I usually remain serious and sometimes get depressed as and when less familiar persons visit my home. (F_I_1)
The introverts reported that they logically assessed their part and did not care about others when they thought they were right. Thus, they showed lower social conformity.
I do not care much about other people and society if I am doing right in my views. (M_I_7)
I do enjoy things when I think they are logically correct and does not infringe on others rights. (M_I_3)
On the other hand, the meaning inherent in the perceived happiness of the extraverts involved novelty, excitation and immediacy (I find the greatest happiness in thinking of the realities that are novel, creative and enjoying. I do like to involve myself deeply in things that give me satisfaction, security and new ways of life problems.). Thus, the happiness of extraverts comprised of interpersonal dependence, working relationship, high arousal, positive end, quantity, interpersonal orientations, strong-adherence to the social norm, high cheerfulness, lees emotional control and happy and go.
I usually enjoy playing with my friends and even I like to let new persons join my play. (M_E_1)
I make friends for particular purposes and remain dependent on many for various purposes. (F_E_3)
I gossip with my friends. It gives me happiness and laughter. I read books on jokes. (M_E_9)
I become very sad when I have to watch a movie in which the hero gets dead at the end. (F_E_7)
I have many types of friends. Some are studious and good players while others are businessmen. (M_E_18)
I even do not enjoy a tasty food dish alone. I share the Tiffin of my friends. (F_E_9)
I do not want to disregard my friends. (M_E_6)
I usually laugh loudly after listening to jokes. (F_E_2)
I mostly cannot control my laughter. (M_E_13)
I do not put my things in order. It’s all right. Others are there to care for me and my things. (M_E_4)

Theme 2: Differences in the inclination towards happiness

Introverts and extraverts differ in their inclination towards happiness. Thus, permanency (I do regularly enjoy in a task that is well-defined and satisfying), meaningfulness (I am attracted towards useful and logical activities.) and stable attributes (I enjoy doing things that are predictable and logical.) pervaded in the meaning of happiness of the introverts. Introverts were more orientated towards faithful relationships, logical aspect, long-term emotional aspects of an event, peacefulness, controlled, cold and engaging tasks with past and future orientations.
I am attracted to useful and logical activities. (F_I_3)
I enjoy doing things that are predictable and logical. (M_I_2)
I usually play games at my home with my neighbouring friends to get enjoyment and satisfaction for long as they are always available for me. (F_I_5)
I do regularly enjoy in a task that is well-defined and satisfying. (M_I_10)
I usually avoid watching games in the playground as there is very noise and audience often makes hooting and disruption. (M_I_4)
I do not play cricket as it consumes much time and energy. (M_I_7)
I usually think of the past and take a lesson from there for future goals. (F_I_4)
Contrarily, the extraverts showed more preference for short-lived (I enjoy to meet many people regularly even for a very brief period.) and dynamic nature of happiness (I enjoy participating in multiple activities that are arousing, thrilling and involve interactions.). The extraverts were directed more towards exciting, action-orientation, working relationships, arousal and excitability aspects, short-term emotional aspects of an event, less-controlled, over-engagement and present-orientation.
I enjoy meeting many new people regularly. (M_E_2)
I enjoy participating in multiple activities that are arousing, thrilling and involve interactions. (F_E_1)
I do not much care about others for their inconvenience. (M_E_3)
I enjoy and like activities which are thrilling and action-oriented. (M_E_7)
I do not much involve myself in activities that give pain for long. (M_E_14)
I generally do not take it seriously of others’ criticism. (M_E_16)
I frequently visit my friends’ home because their parents care about me. (M_E_17)
I like to enjoy moments of life and get satisfaction in the activities that do not bore me. (F_E_8)

Theme 3: dissimilar loci of their happiness

Introverts and extraverts exhibited dissimilar loci of their happiness. For example, the introverts emphasized internal sources (I do enjoy frequent imaginations, sometimes in day-dreaming.) and achieved sources (I do not want to share things to new people and I also do not like to use others.). The happiness of introverts lends the genesis of their happiness from self or close groups, solitary place, passive and inward stimulations.
I like to meet my close and reliable friends and relatives. (M_I_6)
I do not want to share things with new people and I do not like to use others also. (F_I_4)
I don’t play with new persons and like to remain to lie on the bed in holidays. (M_I_8)
I do enjoy frequent imaginations, sometimes in day-dreaming. (F_I_6)
Conversely, external (I regularly take lunch of my friends. I regularly want to watch movies and enjoy happenings around me.) and ascribed sources (My friends purchase books and other study materials which are also useful for me.) find expressions in the happiness of the extraverts. Extraverts’ happiness lies in the activities of larger groups, interpersonal, social and team interactions, open place, action and outward stimulations.
I regularly take the lunch of my friends. I regularly want to watch movies and enjoy happenings around me. (M_E­_4)
My friends purchase books and other study materials which are also useful for me. (M_E­_5)
I cannot remain aloof during my long holidays. (F_E­_2)
I get pleasure in places where they are many people in a large space. (M_E­_8)
I like to play or watch cricket or football as it provided me with the opportunities to remain engaged and active. (M_E­_11)
I get pleasure in thinking people who love play and travel. (F_E­_4)

Theme 4: Differences in the temporal quality of happiness

Introverts and extraverts differ significantly in their temporal quality of happiness. For example, the introverts reported happiness as significant when the sources of happiness are permanent and stable (My friendships are very limited as making many friends may result in interpersonal conflicts and negative competitions.). The happiness of the introverts was of gradual nature and long-term.
I believe that regular efforts on any task give much pleasure and satisfaction. (M_I_6)
My friendships are very limited as making many friends may result in interpersonal conflicts and negative competitions. (F_I_8)
We have limited talks with others. I remain angry for long when something does not happen according to my wish. (M_I_8)
I lifestyle is well-organized. (M_I_12)
I have very fixed choices for my food. (F_I_2)
The extraverts reported short-lived and changing sources of happiness (I have many friends. Sometimes, we get involved in interpersonal quarrels and tease one another. We never stop talking. We settle the issues within a day or two.). The happiness of extraverts was of fast and speedy, moving and immediate nature.
I have many friends. Sometimes, we get involved in interpersonal quarrels and tease one another. We never stop talking. (M_E_10)
We settle the issues within a day or two. (F_E_5)
I do not enjoy a disciplined lifestyle. It bores me. (M_E_12)
I enjoy taking food dishes that are very tasty and spicy. (F_E_6)

Theme 5: Differences in the sources of happiness

Introverts and extraverts differ in their sources of happiness. For example, the happiness of the introverts had its origin from individual activities (study, indoor games, reading, gardening, crafting, writing, watching movies), close relationships and rational incidents. The introverts reported that they get their happiness in individual activities (I enjoy chess or such games that involve a lesser number of well-familiar participants. I always want to win. I avoid conflicts.).
I like games that involve a lesser number of players. I always want to win. (M_I_1)
I avoid conflicts. (F_I_5)
I like to write poems. I enjoy emotional stories. (M_I_3)
I enjoy chess or such games that involve a lesser number of close and well-familiar participants as there is no chance of cheating. (M_I_10)
I do not enjoy things that are useless. I do invest my efforts for my career development. (F_I_2)
Conversely, the extraverts reported their happiness mostly occurring in interpersonal contexts (I do not enjoy watching a movie alone. I like to play games that involve teams. I do not take it seriously either to lose or win a game.). The extraverts’ happiness had its genesis from other people, outdoor activities, large groups, enjoy jokes and thrilling activities.
I do not enjoy watching a movie alone. (M_E_1)
I like to play games that involve teams. I do not take it seriously either to lose or win a game. (M_E_4)
I get most enjoyment and happiness in activities that provide me with an opportunity to meet new places and people. (F_E_3)
I have close relationships with all my classmates. (M_E_11)
I like jokes. I too frequently tell jokes to my friends. (F_E_9)
I like movies which involve action and thrill. (M_E_12)
A summary of the major descriptions of the meaning, conceptualizations, sources and mechanisms of the perceived happiness of the introverts and extraverts have been presented in Table 2.