Hello, dear readers of the KtoNaNovenkogo.ru blog. Once upon a time, the concept of “psychotype” was the domain of psychology and psychologists. Now we hear from all sides (from every iron) words from this area and most often such as “introvert” or “extrovert” (I’m not even talking about sanguine, choleric, melancholic and phlegmatic).
It is clear that this is some kind of designation of people of a certain group, but who are they? Are you interested to know if you, for example, are the kind of person who can be called an introvert? In general, is this good or bad? Maybe we should strive to be a charming extrovert? Or is an ambivert a better option?
In this short publication, I will try to talk about all this in simple words, and at the end you can take a short personality test to understand whether you were lucky or not to be born the person you would like to be.
Carl Gustav Jung on the nature of introverts and extroverts
At the beginning of the 20th century, psychoanalyst Carl Jung worked with psychoanalytic pioneers Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler. During his research, he noticed a strange circumstance. Discussing the same patient's medical history, Freud and Adler focused on completely different symptoms and, moreover, developed almost opposite theories. Jung concluded that they were both hooked on something valuable, and after reflecting on his findings, he created his own theory.
Jung considered Freud to be an extrovert because the latter was oriented towards the external world, people, places and things. Many of the scientist’s theories were built through intensive interaction and discussion with numerous colleagues. According to Freud, the goal of mental development of the individual is to find satisfaction in the world of external reality. Adler, Jung believed, was an introvert, since his theory and attention focused on his own thoughts and feelings. Adler's theories were based on a person's internal struggle to overcome feelings of helplessness, which he called an inferiority complex. He considered people to be creative artists who create their lives with their own hands.
Differences in the views of Freud, Adler and Jung led to mutual resentment. The trio split up and everyone went their own way. Jung continued to develop his theory. He suggested that we are born with a pre-set temperament and a corresponding place on the continuum between extremely introverted and extremely extroverted types.
Jung believed that extraversion and introversion are innate properties that have a physiological basis. Modern science has confirmed the correctness of his intuitive guesses. He argued that we can best adapt in this world by moving along a continuum from the introverted to the extroverted end of the spectrum as we need to. According to Jung, apart from extremes, one can be at any point on the continuum, and this is quite normal. However, we are always pulled in one direction more than in another. We all have a “comfortable niche” where we function best.
Jung believed that significant harm would be done to a child if he was pushed beyond the natural range of his temperament during his upbringing, since this is “violence against the innate predisposition of the individual.” He was convinced that this led to mental illness.
However, Jung pointed out that other points on the continuum are available to us. And the ability to move around it can increase our awareness of the entire process. Jung believed that if a person functions outside of his natural niche (extroverted or introverted), then additional energy is expended and new energy is not generated. But if you learn to accumulate energy and thus create a reserve of it, then you can effectively use it in a less natural environment.
In addition to Carl Gustav Jung, other famous psychologists used the concept of extraversion and introversion in their theories: Carl Leonhard, Hans Eysenck, Katherine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers, and others. Based on Jung's heritage, they interpreted the basic differences between introverts and extroverts in their own way.
It is possible to identify general characteristics with which most modern concepts agree. They are as follows.
Energy source
The main thing that distinguishes an introvert from an extrovert is the source of energy. Extroverts are energized by the outside world—actions, people, places, and things. They are energy wasters. Long periods of inactivity, inner contemplation, loneliness or communication with only one person deprive them of the sense of meaning in life. However, extroverts need to alternate times when they are most active with intervals of just being, otherwise they will get lost in the whirlwind of frantic activity.
Extroverts express themselves easily, are results-oriented, and love crowds and action. Most of them love to communicate, engage in some kind of activity, work with people, and be in the thick of things and events. Contrary to popular belief, they do not necessarily have a light and cheerful character, but their focus is always outside their personality.
Extroverts waste energy easily and often cannot stop. They quickly regain strength by doing something outside the home and organizing active leisure time.
Extroverts may experience loneliness and feel empty when they have no contact with people or the outside world. They often find it difficult to relax and give their body a rest.
Introverts, for their part, find a source of energy in their inner world of ideas, emotions and impressions. Contrary to the prevailing opinion about them, these are not necessarily quiet or reserved people. It’s just that the focus of their attention is within their own personality. They need a quiet place where they can think things through and recharge their batteries.
They conserve energy. The outside world quickly puts them into a state of overstimulation, and they have an unpleasant feeling that there is “too much” of something. This can manifest itself in nervousness or, conversely, apathy. Therefore, introverts need to limit social contacts so as not to be completely devastated. However, they need to supplement the time spent alone with time spent in society, otherwise they may lose perspective, relationships with others, and generally connections with the outside world.
Introverts who are able to balance their energy needs have resilience, tenacity, independent perspective, deep focus, and creative work.
They thrive on stage - they just don't talk afterward.
“At least half of the people in life are introverted by nature,” says Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, Ph.D., a certified life coach and author of Quiet Influence: An Introvert's Guide to a Better Life. They simply play to their strengths and prepare thoroughly. In fact, some of the most successful artists are introverts. By remaining on stage, they are removed from the mass of people in the audience, and this turns out to be much easier than maintaining small talk in the crowd.
Reaction to external stimuli
The next difference between introverts and extroverts is their sense of external arousal and response to external stimuli. Extroverts are comfortable in an atmosphere of constant action. Extroverts like to experience more emotions and new experiences, while introverts like to know more about what they are experiencing. Introverts are characterized by a high degree of internal activity, and everything that comes from the outside world very quickly increases their level of tension.
Introverts, often without even understanding why, try to regulate feelings of tension by limiting the flow of information from outside. Introverts don't mind challenges when they can focus on one or two activities and don't have to work under stress. But if there are too many things to do, they quickly feel overwhelmed.
Just being around other people overstimulates introverts. Energy drains from them when they are in a crowd, classroom, or in a noisy, stressful environment. They may like people very much, but after talking with one person for a while, introverts usually feel a strong desire to leave, take a break, “get some air.”
Extroverts also need breaks, but for different reasons. For example, if they go to the library, they spend very little time in a state of cognition (internal process) and soon begin to feel the need to walk between the stacks, go to the vending machines, and talk to people (external process). Interruptions in communication can increase arousal in extroverts and decrease it in introverts. Extroverts feel the need to recharge themselves the more they feel a lack of excitement within.
They leave the crowd.
“In the 20th century, we entered a new culture that historians called the culture of the individual,” Kane said in her TED talk. “We evolved from an agricultural economy to the world of big business, people suddenly began to move from small villages to cities. Instead of working with people they had known all their lives, they were forced to prove themselves to a crowd of strangers.”
As a result, crowds, which are often loud, noisy and crowded, easily become overstimulating and drain the introvert's physical energy. These people end up experiencing physical isolation rather than environmental support and would rather be anywhere other than in a crowded environment.
Width and depth of interaction
The third difference between extroverts and introverts is the perception of breadth and depth. In general, extroverts prefer a broad scope: to have many friends, impressions, to understand a little about everything, to be generalists. What they learn from the environment, as a rule, does not deepen when processing the experience gained.
Introverts prefer depth and limit impressions, but in everyone they reach to the very roots. They usually have few friends, but very close ones. Their mind absorbs information from the environment and then analyzes and expands on it. Introverts like to explore a subject to its roots, looking for the “richness” of a few experiences rather than variety. It is enough for them to discuss one or two topics in a conversation, otherwise they begin to feel that they are overwhelmed with thoughts.
They think first and then speak.
This habit of introverts contributes to their reputation as good listeners. This is their second nature. They think for a while before opening their mouth, pondering thoughts instead of voicing them out loud, as extroverts often do. This behavior may make introverts appear quieter and shyer, but it simply means there is a lot more thought and, at times, power in their speech.
Extroverted and introverted thought process
Introverts have a lot of thoughts in their heads and a lot of feelings in their souls. They constantly indulge in reflection, comparing old and new impressions. Constantly conduct internal dialogue. Because they are so good at this, it never occurs to them that other people’s brains are wired differently.
Some introverts don't even realize how much they overthink and that they need time for their ideas or decisions to mature. They should rummage through long-term memory storage to find information there. These reflections take time and cannot be rushed.
Introverts also need space to allow their feelings and impressions to bubble to the surface. During REM sleep, or the dream phase, this pathway consolidates daytime experiences and stores them in long-term memory, where they are stored in several areas of the brain. Introverts are in a constant process of distillation of impressions, which requires a large expenditure of “internal energy.”
Neurophysiological features. The importance of neurotransmitters
Introverts and extroverts differ not only in which areas of the brain are more often used. Don't forget about neurotransmitters. For example, they have different needs for dopamine.
Dopamine influences many reactions of the body: movement, attention, cognitive activity. An excess of dopamine causes hallucinations and leads to paranoia. Too little of it is known to cause tremors and the inability to make voluntary movements, and also, apparently, gives rise to a sense of meaninglessness of existence, apathy and a feeling of unhappiness. The lack of neurotransmitter also causes weakening of attention, inability to concentrate, a variety of unhealthy addictions and withdrawal. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to have sufficient levels of dopamine in the body.
Dopamine is naturally produced when a person experiences a positive experience or does something enjoyable. Thus, this neurotransmitter plays a very important role in the “reward system” of the brain, causing pleasurable experiences.
Extroverts are less sensitive to dopamine. Therefore, they require a large “dose”. How does the body regulate the required amount? Dopamine is produced in certain areas of the brain. But for extroverts, in order for the brain to produce more of the neurotransmitter, it also needs its “accomplice,” adrenaline, which is involved in the work of the sympathetic nervous system. Thus, the more active the extrovert, the more “doses of happiness” are released into the blood and the more dopamine the brain produces. Extroverts feel good about going out and meeting people.
The sympathetic nervous system of extroverts is designed to act without thinking. It releases adrenaline, increases blood flow (oxygen) to the muscles, increases the concentration of glucose, supplying the body with energy. Neurotransmitters are released and corresponding signals are sent to the brain to release more dopamine. Dopamine and adrenaline send "doses of happiness" from.
It's no surprise that extroverts don't want to slow down. They are constantly searching for sensory and emotional information. Once given the right stimuli, they can act quickly because their dopamine pathway is short and reactive. Short-term memory seems to be located on the very tip of their tongue, so while the introvert is waiting for the right word to come to him, the extrovert has already managed to produce a whole sentence. Extroverts need more input to keep the feedback loop going.
Introverts, for their part, are very susceptible to dopamine. If there is too much of it, they begin to feel very overstimulated. In introverts, the dominant neurotransmitter is completely different - acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter has a stronger effect on introverts. Therefore, introverts require a limited amount of dopamine, but the level of acetylcholine must be high, then they can feel calm and not become depressed or anxious.
Acetylcholine is associated with many vital functions of the brain and the whole body. It affects attention and cognitive processes (especially those based on perception), the ability to remain calm and use long-term memory, activates voluntary movements, and stimulates a feeling of satisfaction in the process of thinking and feeling.
Acetylcholine also signals the hypothalamus to send a message to the parasympathetic nervous system to conserve energy. The system slows down the body's vital processes, allowing introverts to observe and analyze the situation. Once the decision is made to act, it will take conscious thought and energy to move the body. It becomes clear why many introverts need time to focus. Such concentration of an introvert rewards him with “doses of happiness”, but does not contribute to the body’s release of glucose and oxygen (energy). Introversion extends to all areas of the “inner’s” life.
Because introverts don’t get as many “happy doses” from dopamine and adrenaline, and acetylcholine production is not increased by this process, they do not experience the same pleasant sensation from the functioning of this part of the nervous system as extroverts.
From an excess of adrenaline and glucose, introverts feel exhausted. They feel very stressed, expend too much energy, and as a result, their fuel tanks become empty.
They physically cannot stand telephone conversations.
Many introverts set phone calls to voicemail—even calls from friends—for several reasons. Intrusive melodies disrupt concentration, distract you from the current project or thought and switch to something unexpected. Additionally, most phone conversations require a certain level of small talk, which introverts avoid. But they can check incoming calls and answer them when they have enough energy and time to devote to the conversation.
Peculiarities of behavior of extroverts and introverts
You can understand what type a person belongs to from the characteristics of his behavior. Which naturally follows from his physiology. You can notice a lot just by observing. Let's analyze this.
The brain-body chain of an introvert
As we have already found out, the introverted brain has a higher level of internal activity and the ability to think than the extroverted one. It is dominated by the long, slow acetylcholine pathway.
Acetylcholine also activates the inhibitory system (parasympathetic nervous system), which controls certain functions in the body and influences behavior.
If introverts have a buzzing in their head, they are likely to:
- avoid eye contact when speaking to focus on choosing words and thoughts;
- make eye contact when listening to yourself in order to better perceive information;
- surprise others with the depth of knowledge;
- experience shyness when being the center of attention;
- appearing dull or exhausted when tired, stressed, or in a group.
Dominance of the long acetylcholine pathway means that introverts:
- may begin to express a thought from the middle, which may seem strange to others;
- have a good memory, but it takes them time to activate it;
- can forget things that they know well, so sometimes they stumble over every word when explaining what their work is, or unexpectedly forget the word they wanted to use;
- they may think that they have already told you about something, although in fact they have only thought about it;
- after sleep they formulate their thoughts more clearly and definitely;
- Often, in order to become aware of their thoughts, they must write them down or speak them out.
Features of activation of the parasympathetic nervous system of introverts imply:
- that they are difficult to interest or motivate, they may seem lazy;
- they are often slow to react in stressful situations;
- they have a calm or reserved demeanor;
- they may walk, talk, or eat slowly;
- they may need to regulate their protein intake and control their body temperature;
- they must take breaks to recuperate.
The brain-body chain of an extrovert
Internal brain activity is lower in extroverts than in introverts. They scan the world around them to receive impulses to fuel their short dopamine pathway. Signals from the brain activate the full speed system (sympathetic nervous system), which controls certain body functions and influences behavior.
It is known that the extroverted brain constantly demands new experiences, which means:
- that they crave external stimulation and do not like to be alone for a long time;
- strive to establish visual contact during a conversation in order to notice the reaction of others;
- reduce eye contact when listening;
- They love and know how to speak, they get a boost of energy under close attention or being in plain sight.
Dominance of the short dopamine pathway means that extroverts:
- talk more than they listen;
- have good short-term memory, which allows them to think quickly;
- cope well with tasks that require completion on time;
- sociable.
Features of activation of the sympathetic nervous system mean that extroverts:
- make quick decisions in critical situations;
- love to move and exercise;
- have a large supply of energy, they do not need to eat often;
- feel uncomfortable if they do nothing;
- By mid-life they calm down or become exhausted.
Interesting facts about intra- and extraversion
Below is some information about introversion and extroversion from a research perspective.
- Extroverts have more problems with the law, they get divorced more often, they change jobs, they make and lose friends faster, and in general they have more conflicts than introverts.
- Introverts are better at tasks that require increased attention, such as those faced by air traffic controllers.
- Extroverts will quickly get bored of looking at the screen: “Line, another 747.”
- Extroverts do better in elementary school and get higher test scores, while introverts do better in college and graduate school.
- In studies of pain sensitivity, extroverts complained more often, despite apparently having a higher pain threshold than introverts.
- On memory tests, introverts perform better than extroverts, regardless of whether they received positive, negative, or no feedback. Extroverts' performance improved when they received positive feedback.
- Introverts tend to have more trouble sleeping.
- A study conducted with a group of 258 students found that extroverts had significantly higher self-esteem than introverts.
- Introverted and extroverted middle school children discuss all sorts of topics in different ways. “Externals” are more likely to object and provide examples to the contrary, while “internals” tend to collaborate to develop creative solutions.
- Extroverts adapt to jet lag faster than introverts.
- Extroverts find absurd situations funny, while introverts prefer humor based on contradiction.
How to determine your personality type?
The Eysenck test is one of the most popular and accurate methods for determining personality type and temperament; it contains 101 questions.
Description of scales:
- psychoticism
– determines the level of conflict; - extraversion
– shows the predominance of the introverted or extroverted type; - neuroticism
– determines the level of mental instability; - honesty
- the test contains 9 questions that help determine how truthful a person is and adequately evaluates himself.
How to determine temperament
| Type | Indicators |
| Sanguine | High scores on extraversion and low on neuroticism. |
| Phlegmatic person | Low values on the scale of neuroticism and extraversion. |
| Choleric | High levels of extraversion and neuroticism. |
| Melancholic | Low scores on the extraversion scale and high on the neuroticism scale. |
Instead of a resume
So, the main differences between an extrovert and an introvert are as follows.
Extrovert:
- Likes to be in the thick of things.
- He loves variety and gets bored with the same thing.
- He knows many people and considers them friends.
- Enjoys chatting with people, even strangers.
- Action energizes him and he eagerly grabs onto the next thing.
- Speaks or acts without feeling the need to think first.
- In general, he is a rather energetic person.
- Tends to talk more than listen.
Introvert:
- Prefers to relax alone or in a narrow circle of close friends.
- He considers only those with whom he has deep relationships to be friends.
- Needs rest after any activity, even if it is entertainment.
- Seems calm, balanced, likes to observe.
- As a rule, he thinks first, and then speaks or acts.
- Feels empty in the head when being in a group of people or under stress.
- Doesn't like to feel overloaded with work.
Characteristics of an ambivert
Ambiversion involves a combination of the two personality types described above. Depending on the circumstances, a person is an extrovert or an introvert.
An ambivert can easily join any social group if necessary. However, he will not show that assertiveness and obsession inherent in an extrovert. A person listens to the emotions of others and tries not to offend, which distinguishes him from an introvert who is immersed only in his own experiences.
An ambivert's personality is open to communication, but he also knows how to listen without interrupting or making comments. Therefore, an ambivert has many acquaintances and has established long-term interpersonal contacts.
An ambivert can work independently or in a team with equal ease. For an extrovert, hard, monotonous work is always a burden; participation in a common cause is more important to him. An introvert, on the contrary, prefers to work alone, when no one distracts from the process.
These people are very flexible and adaptable. They subconsciously understand when to be active and when to remain silent. They always try to find a way out of difficult stories, without splashing out emotions like extroverts, but also without withdrawing into themselves like introverts.
