Unconventional participation and personality: An exploration of the effects of extraversion on modes of political participation

This dissertation presents and tests a model describing how personality influences political participation. The model suggests that personality influences and interacts with relevant political perceptions. These perceptions and interactions directly influence behavior. To test this model, the relationship between extraversion and unconventional participation is examined using survey data obtained from peace, anti-abortion and animal rights activists. The perceptions examined include those used by collective action (private interest) theory. The empirical evidence confirms a statistically significant but substantively weak relationship between extraversion and behavior and between extraversion and perceptions. However, there were no statistically significant interactions. The model adds to our understanding of political behavior by suggesting a need to examine the relationship between other personality factors and participation and to examine the effect of personality on perceptions. The model may also help practitioners desiring to increase participation. Finally, the dissertation suggests that unconventional activities are not destabilizing to the system and that the nature of the issue influences the effect of perceptions on participation