Abstract
The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the influence of a personality trait (extraversion-introversion) on individuals’ performance mediated by the contextual and task variables represented cooperative and competitive conditions and by the type of the task. 247 student subjects participated to the experiment. In the first part they were prepared to work efficiently in cooperative or competitive activities. In the second phase they performed a cognitive task by interpersonal cooperation, interpersonal competition and by individual activity. The dimension of extraversion-introversion was measured with Eysenck Personality Inventory. It was hypothesized that extroverts will be more performant in a stimulating context of in-group competition compared to the introverts who will have better results when they work in a relaxed situation, such as cooperation activity with their group partners. This hypothesis was confirmed by the results.
Key words: personality trait, performance, students