Photo by Bryan
What is an introvert? An extrovert? The famous psychologist Carl Jung introduced the terms extroversion and introversion. He described these core elements of personality:
- Introversion is a focus on one’s inner world
- Extroversion is a focus on the outer world.
If you are interested in finding out what your personality type is using these concepts, you can take a free online test at HumanMetrics.
Research has found that introverts’ brains process information very quickly compared to extroverts’ brains. So introverts can get overwhelmed by too much incoming stimuli (e.g. a crowded party, lots of loud noise) while extroverts are less stimulated so often look for more stimuli.
Studies also note that introverts have more blood flow in their frontal lobes and anterior thalamus (brain regions involved with recalling events, making plans and solving problems). Extroverts have more blood flow in brain areas involved with interpreting sensory data. This supports Jung’s view that introverts direct their attention inward while extroverts direct their attention outward.
Jung believed that introversion and extroversion fall on a continuum and that our behavior can not be rigidly defined but is subject to many variables. But often we forget these guidelines and succumb to more dualistic thinking. A recent post on PsychCentral described seven persistent myths surrounding the popular concept of introversion and extroversion:
Myth: Introverts are shy.
Fact: There are certainly shy introverts. But introversion and shyness are not synonymous.
Myth: Extroverts are bad listeners.
Fact: Extroverts can be incredible listeners, because they draw people out by their open-ended questions and paraphrasing.
Myth: You are either an introvert or an extrovert.
Fact: Our behavior isn’t predictable across all situations, and there are many kinds of introverts and extroverts.
Myth: Extroverts are shallow.
Fact: Remember, extroverts and introverts simply have a different way of processing information
Myth: Introverts aren’t happy, or extroverts are happier.
Fact: Introverts and extroverts are happy in different ways. Extroverts often have an upbeat, high energy affect while introverts prefer tranquility and relaxation.
Myth: Introverts don’t make good public speakers.
Fact: A survey of people who speak for a living reveals that at least half are introverts. Well functioning introverts often develop a very refined extroverted persona (The aspect of someone’s character that is presented to or perceived by others).
Myth: Extroverts don’t like time quiet or alone time.
Fact: Extroverts do need this type of time to recharge. But they need it in shorter doses and in different ways than do introverts. An extrovert might listen to music on headphones in a coffee shop while an introvert might prefer a long, solitary walk in nature.
Photo by Georges Petrequin
Introverts and extroverts each have a contribution to make and we can benefit from appreciating the differences.
There is no such thing as a pure introvert or extrovert. Such a person would be in the lunatic asylum.
Carl G. Jung
