The impact of trait introversion-extraversion and identity on state authenticity: Debating the benefits of extraversion

•Trait introverts report feeling authentic even when acting extraverted.•Social identities about introversion–extraversion differ from the trait.•Participants reported lower authenticity when debating contrary to dispositions and identities.•Counter-dispositional authenticity costs did not closely track moods. Research suggests that trait introverts feel more authentic when acting extraverted. We explored boundaries of this idea by assessing trait and identities as introvert or extravert and asking participants to debate extraversion’s value. Students (Study 1:N = 310, Study 2 direct replication:N = 407) were randomly assigned to pro or con sides in the debate and then reported their state authenticity and affect. Results suggested interactions between individual differences (trait, identity) and debate condition on authenticity. Counter-dispositional and counter-identity debating decreased authenticity, though with variation in strength across studies. Affect did not follow this pattern. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the importance of trait-related identities and suggest limits to the benefits of embracing counter-dispositional extraversion.