Carl Gustav Jung was the first to introduce the concept of extroversion/introversion in 1910. Both styles exist as part of a continuum, with each personality type at separate ends of the scale. Carl Jung was one of the first psychologists to define the terms extrovert and introvert in a psychological context. So what does being an introvert or an extrovert mean exactly? And can you be somewhere in the middle? And that’s what I am going to cover in this article.

Extroversion is a seemingly more desirable personality style and especially if you’re living in the West and are working in business.

It pertains to a more outgoing, social, impulsive, and friendly personality style. While Eastern cultures tend to favor introversion, which is at the opposite end of the spectrum. Introverted people tend to be looked at as quiet, reserved, thoughtful, and much less social. However, a lot of people are a little bit of both and tend to be more introverted or more extroverted depending on any given situation.

In this article I will talk more in depth about what it means to be extroverted and introverted and will also discuss the term that’s shared by possessing both personality styles. On a bonus note, I will also talk about how extroversion and introversion impact our behavior and you will discover whether you can change your dominant personality style and become more like the one that you prefer rather than the one that you were born with.

Extroverts 

Various studies have discovered physiological/brain differences in extroverts and introverts. For example, acetylcholine and dopamine are two important body chemicals that impact our behavior. Acetylcholine rewards us by making us feel more alert and content. While dopamine provides us with immediate, intense zaps of happiness when we act quickly, seek novelty, and take new risks.

Scientists have discovered that extroverts are less sensitive to dopamine, so they need more of it to feel happy.

So the more they socialize, move around, and chat others up, the more that they feel dopamine’s pleasant effects. Dopamine is what makes extroverts so keen on seeking parties, new situations and people, and unexplored adventures.

So what are the characteristics of an extrovert? Here they are - 

• Enjoy working in a group

• Prefer a lot of people around rather than being alone

• Get energized by being around others

• Sociable

• Impulsive

• Think quick on your feet

• Outgoing

• Prefer talking over writing

• Leadership qualities and enjoy the spotlight

• Many friends and acquaintances

• More likely to prefer dogs

• Enjoy social settings and places with lots of others around

Introverts 

Introverts are at the other end of the spectrum and are the opposite of extroverts.

Unlike extroverts, introverts are highly sensitive to dopamine, and too much of it can make them uneasy and overstimulated.

And that’s what makes them avoid too many social interactions and situations with a lot of people. When introverts read, focus, or do something calm and something that stimulates their mind, they begin to feel ecstatic, because their brains release acetylcholine; a happiness jolt that would hardly get registered by an extrovert. This explains why an introvert would rather stay at home and read a book or just go for a quiet walk with a single friend or solo. 

Think you’re an introvert. Let’s take a look - 

• You recharge by being alone

• You are reserved

• You need to think over any given situation 

• Thoughtful

• Aloof

• Might come off as shy but that’s not necessarily the case

• Prefer to avoid crowds of people and too many social settings

• Enjoy working independently

• Keep emotions private

• Process thoughts in your head rather than talking them out with others

• Need time to warm up to others and become more outgoing with people that are familiar

• Learns well through observation

• Prefer being with one or two quality friends

Ambivert 

If you’ve just read through both types and think that you’ve identified with both personality types, then you might be an ambivert. Just picture a scale and imagine an extrovert on one end and introvert on the other. An ambivert would be somewhere in the middle of that scale sharing qualities of both, an extrovert, and an introvert. Talk about having the best of both worlds. Most people are actually somewhere in the middle depending on the situation.

Jung believed that a balance between extroversion and introversion best served the goal of self-realization. And that makes a lot of sense if you think about it,

because like a chameleon, you are able to go from one situation and into a completely different situation, and do well in both.

People who are ambiverts are said to be comfortable in social situations but also enjoy time by themselves.

They can - 

• Work well with others and by themselves

• Have the need to socialize but also need to enjoy solo time

• Like to think about things but can also think quickly on their feet if the situation calls for that

• Has a natural ability between talking and actively listening

• You generally don’t yell or become easily angered

• You don’t show your emotions

• Take the lead in a group when necessary or work in the background

• You regulate your behavior well

• Empathy comes naturally to you

How Does Introversion and Extroversion Impact Behavior?

As far as happiness and positive emotions are concerned, according to Myers (1992), extroverts tend to experience more happiness and positive emotions in comparison to introverts who are more neutral. A couple of interesting studies were performed and even those that were made to “act” extroverted anecdotally, experienced higher self-esteem levels. The study showed that extroverts naturally experience greater self-esteem than introverts.

As far as intelligence goes, introverts tend to excel in academic settings and introversion shows a positive association with levels of intelligence. However, extroverts tend to get higher grades in high school and lower grades in more advanced academic settings. Also, there is a positive correlation between extroverts and emotional intelligence, which is often just as important in certain professional settings. And there is also a slight difference in how introverts and extroverts learn. For example, extroverts tend to perform better in cognitive tasks while there is music in the background, while introverts perform worse in the same situation. While I am not exactly an introvert, just thinking of any extra noise in the background while I am writing and trying to formulate my thoughts makes me cringe. This is due to overstimulation/higher cortisol arousal that introverts naturally experience.

To Conclude

Due to various differences in their brains/brain chemistry, introverts and extroverts are slightly different and therefore are drawn and motivated by different factors in their external environments. Two crucial chemicals in their brain play a big role in their differences and they are: dopamine and acetylcholine.

Because extroverts are less sensitive to dopamine and need more of it in order to feel good, they seek social situations and are motivated by new and exciting environments and situations.

On the other hand, introverts are the opposite. They are highly sensitive to dopamine so they avoid overstimulation and situations that create overstimulation of their nervous systems. Their brain chemistry makes them more likely to be reserved, thoughtful, and to prefer to be alone rather than with the many people around them. And finally, one can be an ambivert, which is a powerful combination of an extrovert and an introvert.

So next time you look at an individual, and quickly jump to conclusions, think about their personality style. This might make you less judgmental and more understanding. Ah, the pretty “stuck-up” girl is ignoring everyone and seems aloof because she is actually introverted or my new boyfriend/girlfriend seems bored with just me and always needs/wants something new to do because that is how their brain is wired and they actually need more stimulation in order to feel optimal. 

By understanding one another, we often end up creating better and stronger connections which ultimately lead to a more pleasant environment to live in.

Can You Change Your Personality Style?

If you’re hoping to change your personality style, then you’ve got to dig deep and ask yourself why.

No personality style is better and all are necessary and beneficial in different situations. Introversion and extroversion simply indicate preferences for getting and expanding energy, but there is room for variance.

Understanding your type simply helps you understand how you see and deal with the world that you’re living in.

If you find yourself wanting to change to perhaps fit into a role that you would rather be in or that you think would suit you then perhaps you should be more concerned with gaining more knowledge and skills that will help you meet your goals. Changing your nature might not be possible, but gaining new skills and playing on your strengths is powerful and highly alluring.

Sources

Introvert and Extrovert Personality Traits | Simply Psychology

Extrovert vs. Introvert: How They’re Different (healthline.com)

Introverts' and Extroverts' Brains Really Are Different, According to Science (introvertdear.com)

Are You an Ambivert? Meaning, Characteristics, Benefits, and More (healthline.com)