Search Here

On long term space missions, having an extrovert on board could have multiple disadvantages, a new study has suggested. 

Extroverts tend to be talkative, but their gregarious nature may make them seem intrusive or demanding of attention in confined and isolated environments over the long term, the researchers said, according to LiveScience. 

"You're talking about a very tiny vehicle, where people are in very isolated, very confined spaces," said study researcher Suzanne Bell, an associate professor of psychology at DePaul University in Chicago, according to LiveScience. "Extroverts have a little bit of a tough time in that situation."

If one person always wants to talk, while other crew members don't, "it could actually get pretty annoying," in that environment Bell said.

In conclusion, researchers said extroverts could potentially be a 'liability' on these missions. 

"People who are extroverted might have a hard time coping because they want to be doing a lot; they want to be engaged in a lot of things," said study researcher Shanique Brown, a graduate student in industrial and organizational psychology at DePaul. "And [on these missions], there won't be that much to do - things become monotonous after a while, and you're seeing the same people."

However Bell also mentioned that a team of all introverts is likely not the solution."The question is, where's the balance, and once we find the balance, what can we do through training" to promote team compatibility? Bell said, according to LiveScience.