Introversion and Extroversion

[Mike_Myers]

Just something I'm curious about in the subject of Psychology. Based on the Myers-Briggs personality typology, there are supposedly two types of people in this world:

Introverts: People who get their energy in life by concentrating on THEMSELVES and their PERSONAL hobbies. (Sometimes labled as "loners")

Extroverts: People who get their energy by being with OTHER people. OUTGOING and crave to be with the public.

While I'm not sure if some people would use these values to determine how they should live their life (if one says he's introverted, then he MUST avoid people, and vice versa) are these personality types proven scientifically? Or is this just blind reasoning that Carl Jung made up on the spot?

[Esoteric]

I don't much about psychology, but I do know that i'm an introvert.

While I get along with other people, I have a lot of fun, (sometimes the most fun) working on my own little hobbies/projects. In large crowds, I tend not to interact very much, even with people I know. In order for me to strike up a conversation, I must be with no more than two or three people.

[Mangafanatic]

Both. It really depends on how I'm feeling.

[Nate]

I believe they are proven. I am most certainly an introvert, to be sure. I feel uncomfortable around large groups of people. I'm like Esoteric, if it's a small group, I'm very open and sociable. If there's more than about three or four people, I clam up and stick to myself.

My brother though, he's not comfortable unless he's around a bunch of people. He is most definitely an extrovert.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

i pay much attention to psychology, i wish to major in it soon (either that, or possibly neurology)

anywho, i feel i am mostly an introverted fellow, but i can also be extroverted around really good friends in a good, Christian environment

[jazz]

While I get along with other people, I have a lot of fun, (sometimes the most fun) working on my own little hobbies/projects. In large crowds, I tend not to interact very much, even with people I know. In order for me to strike up a conversation, I must be with no more than two or three people.

wow! i couldn't have said it better myself... yay for not being the only one!!!!!

[cbwing0]

From what I understand the Introversion/Extroversion dichotomy is uncontroversial from a scientific standpoint. After all, Jung did not say that you are either completely one or completely the other; rather, the traits are measured on a continuum, with each individual inclining more towards one of the two types.

From a logical standpoint, the types also make sense: either a person is comfortable in a given situation, or they are not. Either you generally like spending more time alone, or you would rather be in a group. It's simply the law of excluded middle at work in the field of psychology .

[termyt]

I was going to say something like cbwing0 said, but he said it so much better. In the purest (and thus most basic) form of psychology, we are all either one or the other. That makes it easier to quantify and study. But in reality, most are a combination of the two with leanings one way or the other. I myself am not particularly comfortable in large groups and I enjoy the time I spend by myself. However, I can interact with any number of people and I am a good team player.

It's similar to high school physics. When you begin to learn physics, you talk of "perfect" conditions. Like where a feather and a bowling ball actually do fall at the same speed. In other words, you ignore anything that may complicate the calculations - like friction and wind resistance.

As you get deeper into the sciences, you begin to factor these other, less perfect variables - whether it's physics or psychology.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I guess I'm a bit introverted and extroverted if that's possible. I like to spend time alone doing my own things and I like socialising and definetly get energy (not the occult version silly) from those around me. In groups of say 4 or 5 I'm outgoing and you can't shut me up. Larger groups I'm not as "open," but I still talk too much (for a guy, lol!). I can be quiet, though I love to be around people, especially friends... mainly friends and people I get along with.

Bit of a weird question really, because almost everyone would be quiet at times and not at others, but hey, what do I know?

[kaji]

Both. It really depends on how I'm feeling.

Me too. There are various situations where I would repond either way depending on the factors involved. When I am comfortible, it is much easier to extrovert my self, while other times I will remain very contained.

Both for me. ^_^

-kaji

[cbwing0]

Both for me. ^_^

I guess I'm a bit introverted and extroverted if that's possible.

Perhaps I didn't do a good job explaining how the personality types work in my first post...

The traits of introversion and extroversion (along with every other trait) are measured on a continuous scale, looking something like this:

<------------------------------------------------------------------------------->
Introverted ..................................................................Extroverted

As you might imagine, very few people will be on the extreme ends of the scale (in fact, being completely introverted or extroverted would be bordering on a psychological disorder), with most people near the middle. In other words, most people will have a slight tendency toward introversion or extroversion rather than being completely one or the other.

If you would like to see how all of this actually works, then you can take the classic Myers-Briggs personality test that measures introversion and extroversion along with three other dimensions of personality. A free online version of the test can be found here:

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm

[kaji]

Ok, CB very nice explination. Unfortunately it does not change the fact that people can display traits from either. Making it completely possible for poeple to slide in either dirrection based on the current cercomstance.

You are right that being a True Intro or Extra would be highly unlikely (very very highly). However, I think the confusion here may have arrisen from your litteral understanding of the words. No one was actualy saying they were purely one or the other. Only which traits they primarily displayed (from their own perspective).

What I was trying to say (with out using an inordinate ammount of space) was that depending on what enviroment I am in would determine what personality comes out.
Example:

1: Going to a Party with a small group of people I know very well. I have been to the house before, I know every one there, and fell completely comfortible.

2: Going to a party with a large group of people I barely know (if at all) in a place I have never been before, I am in a foreign place with people I know nothing about.

In example 1 I would not hesitate to joke around with the people, shout across the room, talking non-stop with people, doing a silly dance and try dipping my taco in peanutbutter.

In example 2 I would probably find a quite corner where no one will be looking at me, think about what I have planned for the remander of the week. Contemplate the concept of odd an even, and probably not talk to any one who didnt talk to me first. And even then, only sparingly.

[cbwing0]

What I was trying to say (with out using an inordinate ammount of space) was that depending on what enviroment I am in would determine what personality comes out.

That is perfectly normal, and I am the same way. However, if you think about your reactions carefully, you will probably find that you are slightly more introverted or extroverted most of the time. I suppose it is theoretically possible (though unlikely) that for every situation in which you act one way, there is exactly one in which you would act the opposite way, making it an even distribution; but again that is unlikely.

I would encourage you (and everyone else) to take the test that I provided, if for no other reason then to see what the results would be.

[termyt]

Environmental factors are, of course, valid and need to be taken into account. Almost everyone tends toward introversion in a room full of strangers and extroversion in a room full of close friends. I think the "it depends" answer is OK, but it also seems like it's a bit shallow on the introspection meter. Those who are in the "it depends" group may well benefit from taking the test. It may help you define your own position a little more clearly, and thus help you define (and change, if warranted) yourself.

[EireWolf]

Those tests can be helpful in some ways. However, I have yet to find a psych test that can define me or "pin me down" exactly. I do not think it is useful to pin labels on oneself, if one uses such labels as excuses not to change. "That's just the way I am."

Anyway... here's where I usually am on the sliding scale:

<----------------------------------------------------------------------------->
Introverted ..............*..................................................Extroverted

[Gypsy]

Those tests can be helpful in some ways. However, I have yet to find a psych test that can define me or "pin me down" exactly. I do not think it is useful to pin labels on oneself, if one uses such labels as excuses not to change. "That's just the way I am."

Well, I was going to say it, but EireWolf said it for me. I guess now all I can say is ... ditto.

[Jaltus-bot]

I am an introvert who has come to really appreciate her introverted side, or something like that.

[Fireproof]

Somewhere in between, on the side of extrovert. I'm incredibly talkative and outgoing, but working in a group usually slows me down.

[ShiroiHikari]

I suffer in one-on-one situations with someone I'm unfamiliar with. in small groups of people I do okay, as long as I know most of the people. in large groups I don't do well.

so, I dunno, I guess I lean more toward introversion. I'd rather be at home by myself doing something than out running around with people -most- of the time. sometimes I like to go hang out.

[Mike_Myers]

I myself fall into the introvert catagory (if I were to base that on my most dominant trait.) Though I understand that Introverts are often confused for shy and "mousy" people. There are just some times when I just don't want to be out in the public - In fear that I might lose my "identity" in a group of large numbers of people who don't know me. When I am alone, I pretty much have the time to relax and finally arrange my thoughts after being with crowds. The "me-times" are basically my "relaxing" times.

There are times when I like being with "close" friends, but only for a short time as I do get emotionally "exahausted" if I spend too much time with them. I enjoy the company, but have to leave the "party" after a certain amount of time.

So I guess you could say that while I'm introverted, there are times when I want to have attention. Message boards are probably my time to be very extroverted (since I am putting attention on people looking at my posts and examining their responses.)

It's been said that 25% of America are introverted. While I'm a little bit skeptical about the statistics, can it be true that the majority of people are more inclined towards extroversion? Like one person mentioned, is there a way to figure out who is introverted and who is extroverted based on how they live each day?

[Kat Walker]

http://personalitytype.com/quiz.asp is a very broad quiz, but covers a few more interesting things than just labeling yourself "outgoing" or "shy".

My results...

...you are an introvert, intuitive, feeler, perceiver – people of this type tend to be quiet, reserved, and kind; deeply passionate, sensitive, and easily hurt; loving and dedicated to those close to them; creative, original, and imaginative; curious and flexible in small matters; nonconforming.

[Mike_Myers]

[quote="Kat Walker"]
...you are an introvert, intuitive, feeler, perceiver – people of this type tend to be quiet, reserved, and kind]

That is exactly what I got from your link (Introvert, Intuitive, Feeler, Perceiver.)

Though I'm just wondering what most of the people on this board fall into. Do most of you guys fall into introversion (because we hang around message boards) or do you fall into extroversion (BECAUSE we hang around message boards?)

[Taslin_Jewel]

When I asked my dad to explain it to me (he's not a psychologist, but he knows a lot of odd facts about a wide variety of subjects), he said that has to do with how you regain energy. For instance, an extrovert is energized by being around other people for long periods of time, while introverts (like me) have to go away and be alone for a time afterwards to recuperate. You can be an introvert and still very sociable, but you will be tired after a while in a way an extrovert would not be.

My sister and my mother, the extroverts, find it weird that I have to go off by myself after social gatherings. My dad gets it, because he's the same way. But that doesn't prevent us from having social lives.

[uc pseudonym]

I find that in general I would be placed fairly far on the introverted side of the continuum. People, solely on the basis of being people, do not in any way energize me. What I mean is that while certain individuals may have very positive effects upon me, it operates solely on an individual basis.

Of course, this only applies if we use the proper definitions of introvert and extrovert. Some base it solely upon if a person feels comfortable in social situations. Under these conditions, the continuum is meaningless to me, because I am comfortable in all standard situations regardless of persons present.

To answer the more recent question, I believe that participation on message boards is largely irrelevant to a person's persuasion in the sense of this thread.

[Retten]

I'm a mix of both.......like exactly a mix of both.

[Doubleshadow]

I am an introvert by nature, an extrovert by effort.

[Kireihana]

I'm an inextrovert. When with my peers, I'm loud and outgoing, but after spending my allotted 7+ hours at school with them, I prefer to glue my butt to my computer chair, draw, read, etc. by myself.

[termyt]

That makes you a classic "well adjusted" introvert, Kireihana. If you aren't either extreme, I think a good way to tell which you lean to may be to aks yourself, "Where do I draw my energy from?" Perhaps I've spent too much time thinking about this, but bear with me for a second.

After spending a lot of time with friends and family, do you usually feel like you need some alone time, even though you really enjoyed yourself? That's an introverted trait - you recharge by spending time alone.

Or is it more common for you to desire human contact after spending time alone? That's an extroverted trait. You recharge by spending time with others.

[shooraijin]

I used to be very extroverted, but I'm finding the older I get, the more introverted I become. It's sometimes a very confusing contrast.

[LorentzForce]

Definately introvert, although I should try being more extrovert.

It's been, I don't know, three days since I talked to someone outside my family in real life.