The Effect of Topic Bias on the Writing Proficiency of Extrovert/Introvert EFL Learners

This study was intended to find out any possible effect of topic bias on the writing proficiency of Iranian extrovert/introvert EFL learners at high/low writing proficiency levels. One hundred participants chosen from among 150 adult language learners on the basis of their personality type (extrovert/introvert) and writing proficiency (high/low) took part in this study. They were arranged into four groups according to their writing proficiency and personality type. They were asked to write on three different topics (one unbiased, one extroversion-biased, and one introversion-biased) and fill out Eysenck Personality Questionnaire for adults (EPQ, Eysenck & Eysenck, 1975). The writings were scored by two raters according to Bailey and Brown's (1984) composition grading scale. The data gathered was analyzed using two-way ANOVA. The final results of the analysis revealed the significant difference between the scores of different groups of participants on all topics – unbiased or biased toward either of the two personality types in favor of introverts but one.