Introversion and extroversion

The terms introvert and extrovert (spelled extravert by Carl Jung who initially identified these personality types) reveal how a person orients and receives their energy.

Origin and definition of terms

This was one of Jung's most important discoveries —the realization that by understanding the way we typically process information, we can gain insights into why we act and feel the way we do. Jung identified two core psychological processes that he termed "extrovert" and "introvert." In Jung's original usage, the extrovert orientation finds meaning outside the self, preferring the external world of things and people and activities. Extraverts tend to be energetic, enthusiastic, action-oriented, talkative, and assertive. Therefore an extroverted person is likely to enjoy time spent with people and find less reward in time spent alone. The introvert is introspective and finds meaning within, preferring their internal world of thoughts, feelings, fantasies, dreams. Introverts tend to be quiet, low-key, deliberate, and disengaged from the social world. Thus, one who is introverted is more likely to spend time alone or in contemplation, as these activities are rewarding. They may avoid social situations entirely, not because of shyness, but because they choose to. Jung also identified four primary modes of experiencing the world: thinking, feeling, sensation, and intuition. He referred to these as the four functions.

Significant in Jung's theory is that "type preferences" are inborn and not socially constructed through interaction with the parents, family, culture and other external influences. Even so, the individual is impacted in the quality and strength of the development in her or his preferences. Nature and nurture are both at play. A supportive environment will facilitate inborn preference development; a contrary environment will impede or retard the natural development of inborn preferences.

Measurement

While most people view being either introverted or extroverted as a question with only two answers, the reality is that this is probably more of a scale, with people falling on both ends and in between. The term ambivert was coined to denote people who fall more or less directly in the middle and exhibit tendencies of both groups. An ambivert is normally comfortable with groups and enjoys social interaction, but also relishes time alone and away from the crowd. Ambiverts tend to be moderate thinkers and weigh more than one side to an issue. Most have warm but controlled personalities.

In today's society it is generally seen as more of a positive quality to lean towards being extrovert rather than introvert. Most people who consider themselves introverts usually steer clear of the word when describing themselves e.g., at a job interview, because they think people will see them as eccentric and different. People who see themselves as extroverts however, will gladly use this word in a description of themselves thinking most people will consider it a positive quality. Extroverts make up about 75% of the American population, while approximately 25% are introverted.

Causes

The relative importance of nature versus environment in determining the level of introversion/extroversion is controversial and the focus of many studies. Twin studies find a genetic component of .39 to .58. In terms of the environmental component, the shared family environment appears to be far less important than individual environmental factors (not shared by siblings) ^[1].

Hans Eysenck proposed that extroversion was caused by variability in cortical arousal; "introverts are characterized by higher levels of activity than extroverts and so are chronically more cortically aroused than extroverts". Because extroverts are less aroused internally, they require more external stimulation than introverts. This theory may be backed up by evidence that extroversion is tied to a gene that shapes the brain's response to dopamine ^[2]. Other evidence of this “stimulation” hypothesis is that introverts are less tolerant of painful electric shock and salivate more than extroverts ^[3]

One study found that introverts have more blood flow in the frontal lobes of their brain and the anterior or front thalamus, which are areas dealing with internal processing such as remembering and problem solving. Extroverts have more blood flow in anterior cingulate gyrus, temporal lobes and posterior thalamus, which are involved in sensory processing such as listening and watching^[4]. It is difficult to determine the causal relationship in this case. The differences in brain activity may cause the differences in personality, or the person's tendency to introversion/extroversion may manifest itself in brain activity, or there may be some complex interaction between the two.

Application

Interpersonal relationships

Differences in introversion and extroversion can potentially result in interpersonal conflict. If an introvert and an extrovert in a relationship are both under stress each will use a different strategy of coping. The extrovert will want to go out socializing or shopping while the introvert will want peace and solitude. With a lack of self awareness, their interactions with each other may cause the extrovert to feel rejected while the introvert may feel imposed upon. The stress reducing strategies for one will not work for the other. They may get caught in a type difference and may only see the other person as being demanding or resistive. Understanding type differences can increase one's self-awareness and help to create more cooperative and harmonious relationships.

Personality assessment

Katharine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers found Jung's types and functions so revealing of people's personalities that they decided to develop a paper-and-pencil test called the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which is one of the most popular, and most studied, tests around. The test is frequently used in the areas of pedagogy, group dynamics, employee training, leadership training, marriage counseling, and personal development. Another simpler version of the MBTI called the Keirsey Temperament Sorter was introduced in 1978 by David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates. See the main article Personality Assessment for more details on the MBTI and the Keirsey Temperament Sorter and how the extrovert and introvert types interact with the other functions—sensing, intuition, thinking, feeling, judging, perceiving.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

1. ^  Personality Similarity in Twins Reared Apart and Together
2. ^ Portrait of Gene Guy
3. ^ Personality studies
4. ^  Brain activity indicates introverts or extroverts

Additional Reading

• Jung, C. G., & Hull, R. F. C. 1992. Psychological Types (a revised ed.). London: Routlege. ISBN 0415071771.

• Myers, Isabel Briggs; McCaulley, Mary H.; Quenk, Naomi L.; Hammer, Allen L. (1998). MBTI Manual (A guide to the development and use of the Myers Briggs type indicator). Consulting Psychologists Press; 3rd ed edition. ISBN 0891061304.

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