Description introvert extrovert and so on. Who is an extrovert? Introvert - who is it?
This is one of the popular topics, and every year I include it in the Summer Training program at . Let's figure it out.
When psychologists communicate, we often hear: “He’s an introvert” or “This is an extrovert!” What is it about?
In popular literature, the issue has long been resolved in the most primitive way: extroverts are called sociable people with a strong nervous system, and the beautiful title “introvert” was assigned to people who are unsociable, withdrawn people with a weak nervous system, immersed in the world of experiences. This is a combination of three factors: sociability - isolation, strength - weakness nervous system and a person’s turning inward, into his inner world - as opposed to turning (orientation, aspiration) outward, into the external world.
Compare the questions on Factor A (withdrawal - sociability) according to Cattell with popular questionnaires that determine your introversion-extraversion.
"Intro" - inside. "Extra" - out. "Version" - direction, aspiration, appeal.
An extrovert may have a rich inner world, but he will only engage with it to the extent that he needs it for something in the outside world. When choosing to be alone or socialize, he would rather choose to socialize. If there is a choice to "think" or "do", he will choose to do. If he needs to think, he will think, but only to the extent necessary to make a decision and act. An extrovert is not prone to reflection: “If I dig the earth, I dig the earth!” He teaches himself to think in order to do, and is attentive to feelings to the extent that this helps him navigate life. To immerse yourself in experiences for too long - no, that’s not his thing. Life, people, what happens around him are his real circle of interests.
An introvert is different. When answering questions from popular tests, an introvert recognizes himself in the following description:
I like to be alone and with familiar people, preferably in peace and quiet, when I don’t have to do anything quickly, here I rest and gain strength. I don’t like being around people, especially in new and noisy companies, in stressful situations and when something is urgently required from me.
It is difficult, causes fatigue and irritation to the point of inhibition and blackout.
After social events I feel empty, even if I had a good time.
I can zone out if there are too many things going on.
I feel anxious when a project is about to be completed and I can't relax.
I don’t like to interrupt others and I don’t like to be interrupted.
I usually need to think before I react or say something.
Sometimes I feel empty in my head when I meet people or when I am unexpectedly asked to say something.
This is a person with communication problems who does not tolerate stress and excitement well. Everything new is perceived by him as discomfort, causing protest and fatigue.
I often dread the thought of having to make a return phone call.
I don't like overly stimulating environments.
I can't imagine why people go to watch horror films or ride roller coasters.
In general, I prefer to listen rather than talk.
As a result, in popular literature the concept of “introvert” is understood extremely simply: it is simply a person who is uncommunicative, does not like to communicate, or has difficulty communicating. That's all.
It would seem that everything is clear, but people who are not introverts are often called introverts. A completely extroverted child may be uncommunicative and avoid company due to shyness and cowardice, but in order not to offend him, for reasons of political correctness, they prefer to call such children the worthy name “introvert.” In psychotherapeutic practice, the concept of “introvert” is used as a calming explanation for unsociability: “it’s your natural feature“connected with the richness of your inner world,” especially since in many tests an introvert is interpreted as a deeper and more thoughtful person than an extrovert. Let us say right away that there is no reason for this; thoughtful and deep people are found among both introverts and extroverts .
You need to know that the history of the terms “introvert” and “extrovert” is complex and confusing, and currently different experts put significantly different content into these words.
You can often hear that introvert and extrovert are innate qualities, but such views have no scientific evidence. And most importantly, until researchers agree on what content they mean by the concept of Introvert and Extrovert, no research can be conducted. Today, while different researchers understand these words each in their own way or do not define them at all, this topic is outside of serious science.
Majority normal people Sometimes they are extroverts, and sometimes they are introverts. As a rule, any of us is quite an extrovert in comfortable live communication, but problematic situations, requiring difficult thoughts, immerse us in ourselves and make us introverts. When solving everyday problems, we are extroverts, but as soon as we fly away into daydreams, we are already typical introverts. The more problems a person has and the more often he goes into daydreaming, the more introverted he becomes...
If we want to build on something solid, reliable, phenomenological descriptions of internal experiences will not help us; we need external, observable signs. Are they in in this case? By external signs distinguishing an introvert from an extrovert is not always easy: only a problematic introvert and a problematic extrovert are confidently different. One of the signs by which one can externally distinguish an extrovert from an introvert is a gaze that looks directly at the interlocutor, and not past or into oneself. Compared to introverts, extroverts tend to be simpler, more practical thinkers, and less likely to worry. Absorbed into themselves, the introvert seems to slow down a little, the extrovert is more active, problematic extroverts act thoughtlessly and impulsively. As a rule, extroverts are more open, look people in the eyes more often, and establish contact more easily. When listening to a partner, extroverts are not inclined to complicate things and come up with “what is behind this word, that look and that intonation”: they hear what they are told. They are more expressive and have no difficulty in expressing feelings.
The division into introverts and extroverts makes sense only in the case of obvious personal pathology. Mentally healthy and developed people usually ambiverts, that is, they combine traits of both types and do not fit into this division. The division of people into introverts and extroverts is not used, as it is confusing, unnecessary and not working.
Sometimes a person thinks about who he is - an introvert or an extrovert. What are these concepts? To understand, you need to know some terms generally accepted in psychology.
How to tell if a person is an introvert or
A person's character is a set of actions, habits and skills. His traits are certain habits and specific skills. And they are the ones who dictate what a person should do in a given situation. But, in addition to the habits and skills formed during life, character can be attributed to one of the psychological types that also influence his actions. Introvert and extrovert - who they are, what characteristics they have, psychologists can say more accurately.
Concepts
The terms “extrovert” and “introvert” have been known for a long time, but they were firmly introduced into everyday use by Carl Jung at the beginning of the 20th century. These are two completely opposite personality types. It is believed that every person has traits of both types, but one predominates.
An extrovert is a person who loves to communicate. He may have a rich inner world, but he does not pay much attention to it, but only if it is necessary to achieve some goal.
An introvert is a person who is self-absorbed. And yet, if necessary, he can communicate with people, but only as much as necessary. The definition is based on a combination of qualities such as ambition, activity, assertiveness, sociability and talkativeness. To answer the question: “Are you an introvert or an extrovert?”, we need to take a closer look at each type separately. And only then can we draw any conclusions.
Extrovert
An extrovert is a person who strives to communicate with people. He likes the attention of others. He easily makes new acquaintances, participates in public events, and often speaks to the public. He is friendly, has many friends, is very ambitious and assertive. These are the words that can describe an extrovert.
These people cannot stand loneliness, they are very dependent on the opinions of others, which is why they are easy to influence. An extrovert can become an excellent toastmaster, artist, politician or official. But he must keep his aggressiveness under control and try to limit his desire to act on the spur of the moment.
Introvert
An introvert is a person who is pessimistic, withdrawn, and always keeps his emotions under control. He is shy and reserved. He likes to be quiet and alone. An introvert prefers books to society. He rarely makes new acquaintances, and if he does become someone’s friend, then it is the most reliable one for life. He never acts contrary to his beliefs, but if this suddenly happens, the introvert will suffer and worry for a long time. For better or worse, such people are practically not influenced by others and always have their own point of view. One of the most valuable qualities of this type of personality is that a person rarely transgresses generally established norms of behavior.
Introverts make excellent scientists, researchers, writers or entrepreneurs. After all, for them the creative process is more important than the final result. Introverted children are quiet and excellent students who can never stand up for themselves and fight back. And all because they are very kind, even too much. Many people use this, especially when they want to cheat on a test. Introverted men become henpecked, but women of this type feel much more comfortable in marriage than extroverts.
Where and why did such differences between people appear?
Carl Jung suggested that everything is connected to a source of energy, which determines (i.e. whether he is an introvert or an extrovert). Its restoration plays a big role in the well-being and functioning of everyone. This usually happens during sleep, when the physical body is resting, and the mental body is simply experiencing the thoughts and sensations that a person experienced during the day. The human biofield can also receive a portion of energy through nutrition and breathing, but it is not as significant as that restored during sleep. This energy generation scenario is only suitable for introverts. In the morning they feel cheerful and rested.
Extroverts, on the other hand, need additional energy replenishment to function fully, since they simply do not have enough energy restored during the night. Where can I get it? Only in the outside world. That’s why they so often need attention and try with all their might to attract it to themselves and get their share of energy from other people. This is what the concept of “energy vampirism” is associated with. This is a category of extroverts who gain energy by causing harm to others, provoking people into scandals and quarrels, during which a huge release of energy occurs.
This is why many people who have been attacked feel empty and tired. Fortunately, there are significantly fewer such extroverts than representatives of the other category, who are energized by doing good and helping people. They like to be useful and at the same time, thanks to their good deeds, be the center of attention.
Who finds it easier to live in our world?
Many people think about who adapts more easily in life - an introvert or an extrovert. After some observations, we can say with confidence that it is still easier for an extrovert to adapt.
After all, the attention of most people in society is focused on the world around us. And yet, by creating all the necessary conditions for himself - solitude and silence, an introvert can fully reveal his potential, just as an extrovert will bring great benefits to society, working in the best conditions for his type.
Who is better to be?
It is impossible to say who is worse - an introvert or an extrovert. This is simply impossible. Each personality type has both positive features, and negative. The best example of an introvert is a balanced one who looks at the essence of things, while an extrovert can take them completely lightly. As the complete antipode of a positive introvert, you can imagine a loser nerd or a programmer in torn jeans, whose hair is tousled, and whose thoughts are hovering somewhere far from the surrounding reality.
Two types of communication
Very often these two types cannot understand each other due to the fact that they may have different reactions to the same events. And it confuses both of them. Introverts do not like to take initiatives. At their core, they are reinsurers, which greatly hinders them in a team where speed of decision-making is valued. At the same time, they are excellent strategists. Extroverts are impulsive and ready for battle here and now. They are interested in tactics and immediate victory.
And cautious introverts in the team only hinder them. And it doesn’t matter that the latter can see the situation more deeply and predict its outcome in the distant future. In fact, introverts are eminence grises who prefer to observe what is happening from the sidelines, while extroverts crave to be in the center of events.
Sooner or later, every person asks the question: “How do I know if I’m an introvert or an extrovert?” And he begins to look for answers in books on psychology. Having passed many tests, the results of which are quite contradictory, he is finally lost in a sea of information and terms. But the easiest way to start is to create a comparison table that will clearly show whether this user is an introvert or an extrovert. It should describe all your character traits and compare them with data found in books or, for example, in this article.
Conclusion
And it doesn’t matter who you are - an introvert or an extrovert. This is not a sentence. Knowing about the positive qualities of your psychological type, you can purposefully reveal them and achieve stunning success in your chosen field. In addition, every person, regardless of whether they are an introvert or an extrovert (we have already described in detail who they are), who is familiar with these concepts and the character traits inherent in each of these types, can communicate perfectly with everyone, easily finding the key to them .
Introvert, extrovert, who is it?
Everyone has at least once wondered: “Who is an introvert and an extrovert?” or “how to determine who I am - an introvert or an extrovert?”, now we will try to sort everything out for you.
Story
In 1921, a Swiss psychiatrist Charles GustavJung in his work “Psychological Types” he identified two psychotypes that are absolutely opposite to each other and proposed dividing all people into introverts And extroverts, about each, now in more detail.
Let's look at each type separately.
Who is an Introvert?
An introvert is a person whose psychological energy is directed inward. He feels comfortable only alone with himself, or with people very close to him. A way out of the comfort zone for an introvert is any interaction with people unfamiliar to him, any public speaking, all this causes stress for the introvert and thereby he spends a large amount of his emotional energy.
Therefore, a vacation for such people is more of a lonely evening with a mug of tea than a noisy party or a trip to some shopping center where there is a large crowd of people; in other words, this means a closed, unsociable person.
Pros and cons of being an introvert
Minuses:
- It is very difficult for introverts to make new friends, thereby acquiring useful acquaintances, which greatly helps in life.
- Each new job, any courses are a huge stress.
- For an introvert, making phone calls is comparable to live communication; therefore, calling a hairdresser, a restaurant, or a university is torture for them.
Pros:
- Introverts feel comfortable alone, which makes them self-sufficient and independent from other people.
- Often introverts are very smart, well-read people, since they prefer a book to a party, so their introversion does not particularly bother them.
Who is an extrovert?
An extrovert is a person whose psychological energy is directed outward to the outside world. They are comfortable being in society, in a crowd of people, be it a class, a queue, a concert. Alone they feel lonely and sad.
Extroverts usually have many friends and acquaintances, they are very sociable, often they are company leaders. This type of people is always positive and gives it to others.
They prefer to relax - in noisy companies, these are clubs, parties, concerts; for an extrovert, communication is the main element of relaxation, because from it he draws his emotional energy.
Pros and cons of being an extrovert
Minuses:
- Extroverts feel very bad alone; they vitally need communication with other people, which makes them dependent on society.
- Extroverts are often frivolous and can be led into any adventure, which most likely will lead to problems.
Pros:
- Extroverts easily make new acquaintances, which is very helpful both in their personal lives and in their careers.
- Quickly adapt to new teams.
- Often they just do public speaking.
How to understand who I am - an introvert or an extrovert?
To get to know yourself better, try to relate yourself to this table.
Which column did you find more matches in? psychological type you are more and relate to whether you are an introverted person or an extroverted one. Pure psychotypes are extremely rare, because at a certain period of life, a person can feel like both an introvert and an extrovert, depending on the events that happened in his life.
Book fragment Marty Laney. Advantages of introverts. - M.: Mann, Ivanov and Ferber, 2013.
In this book, a practicing psychotherapist and a leading expert in the United States on the topic of introversion brings together his wealth of experience and results scientific research to dissuade introverts that there is something wrong with them and help them see and appreciate their strengths- analytical skills, creativity, ability to concentrate. In addition, in the book you will find practical advice about how to establish relationships with people of different temperaments in the family, at work and among friends.
The founder of this theory, Carl Gustav Jung, believed that extraversion and introversion are innate properties that have a physiological basis. Modern science 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 a child would be harmed significantly if he was pushed outside 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): 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. The basic differences between introverts and extroverts are as follows. 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 an easy-going and cheerful character, it is just that their focus is always outside of their personality. Extroverts easily waste energy and often cannot stop. They quickly regain strength by doing something outside the home, organizing active leisure. Extroverts can experience loneliness and feel empty when they are not in 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 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 and perseverance, and know how to look at things independently, concentrate deeply and work creatively. The next difference between introverts and extroverts is their sense of external stimulation 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. Characteristic for introverts high degree 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 the feeling of tension by limiting the flow of information from the 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 different things to do, they quickly feel overwhelmed. Just being around other people already 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, 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 stimulation within. 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 environment, as a rule, does not go deeper 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. So, the main differences between an extrovert and an introvert. 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.
- 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 some activity, even if it is entertainment.
- Seems calm, balanced, loves 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.
Trying to understand your own kind is a favorite human pastime. The soul of an outsider is in darkness, but, oddly enough, no one wants to put up with it. Solving the puzzles of someone else's character and behavior, trying to understand the nature of eccentricities - any communication is built on this. Why do people do this? Maybe then to discover something new in yourself? Can you figure out who is right? Self-knowledge is usually a difficult and lengthy process. But understanding other people correctly is also a challenge. We'll take the risk of making it easier for you.
What does introvert and extrovert mean? Something about stereotypes
From the above, only one thing follows: today it is quite fashionable to understand psychology at least at the amateur level. “Extrovert” and “introvert” are buzzwords that are easily thrown around by almost everyone. Moreover, people are in no hurry to think about the meaning of terms and quickly reward others with labels that are not fully understood. I’ll say right away to make it clearer: introvert and extrovert are types of behavior in society. A cheerful, open extrovert is worthy of admiration, a gloomy introvert is just a gray mouse. And rarely does it dawn on anyone that maybe it makes sense to look into it in more detail? After all, both introvert and extrovert have specific personality types in their own way. And their character is by no means limited to indicators of activity and cheerfulness.
Theater of one extrovert
However, people intuitively understand something correctly: an extrovert is indeed a very active person. Almost always he lives in grand style: a lot of friends, a sea of vivid emotions and impressions. In any company, such a person will become a star - he will joke funny, laugh contagiously, and direct the conversation. And no one would even dream that an extrovert feels uncomfortable without these people, he depends on them and needs to light up, stand out among them, give them his energy. He doesn’t need emotional intimacy, he just wants to shine among them. Although he does not try to assert himself at their expense. It is also curious that an extrovert has a lot of impulsiveness: for him there is nothing easier to get involved in a gambling argument, or even a conflict. Moreover, he may even enjoy it.
Another torture for an extrovert is sitting for a long time without doing anything or, conversely, doing something for too long. At school they often disrupt classes - and mostly not out of malice. It’s just that extroverts find it very difficult to concentrate; in business, they mainly succeed due to the number of tasks completed. Ah-ah-ah... Oh, this superficial knowledge... Such people are not at all embarrassed to perform several operations at once. True, the quality of their implementation sometimes leaves much to be desired.
An extrovert is also specific in his personal life. As always, he has seven Fridays a week: he often changes partners, he gets bored very easily. You shouldn’t even try to tie him to yourself: The best way winning respect means appreciating his freedom. In any other cases, he feels constrained and instinctively breaks out of the love cage.
Without many words
Unlike extroverts, introverts are actually more self-sufficient and less prone to active communication. They retain their energy within themselves and draw it not from the outside, but from spiritual reserves. They do not require special attention from society and, in principle, can easily do without it. Moreover, among a large number of people they sometimes become so uncomfortable that they have to leave for a while and recover in such solitude, which is so healing for them.
Introverts are reserved people, but they are not silent or silent. Yes, they value their personal space. But this does not prevent them from having not a hundred casual acquaintances, but only close friends or a loved one. In the latter, the introvert seems to see a reflection of himself, feels a piece of his soul in them. That is why he happily gives them energy and shares his feelings. But they are also much more sensitive to mental pain. From the outside it may seem that the introvert is just whining. In fact, it is important to support him - his emotional wounds are healing slowly.
By nature, they are not doers, but rather observers. A large amount of information depresses them, and they often unconsciously abstract themselves from it. Doing several things at the same time does not delight them at all, like extroverts. But in their work they are more inclined to focus on quality. And when exploring the world, they prefer to study something thoroughly rather than a little of everything.
I think that now it is quite clear to you how to recognize an introvert or an extrovert in front of you. However, there are no pure personality types in life.
A little about the unity of opposites
It is sometimes difficult to understand both an extrovert and an introvert. And even more difficult - why are these such different types Personalities (behaviors) often attract each other. It is quite possible for such people to get along, although not easy. The main thing is to immediately realize that their incompatible characteristics and habits are not at all the problems of the person himself, but nothing more than innate qualities of character. Therefore, the smartest thing for such a tandem is to give each of its participants the opportunity to realize their needs without interfering with the oddities of the other.
Judging people according to stereotypical criteria is not such a difficult task. It is much more difficult to truly understand them and take a genuine interest in them. And then the words “extrovert” and “introvert” cease to be thoughtless labels. Instead, they turn into a real key to the human heart and open the way to a deep understanding of the individual and building healthy, fulfilling relationships. And then the verdict “introvert” is no longer a verdict, “extrovert” is not the only object of attention or admiration. Every person is an individual. And only by remembering this can we truly understand ourselves.