Examine individual changes

'{{for|the Software Company|Introversion Software}} The [[trait theory|trait]] of '''extraversion-introversion''' is a central dimension of human [[personality psychology|personality]]. Extraverts (also spelled ''extroverts''<ref>The spelling ''extrovert'' is common in general use ([[Merriam-Webster]] has ''extravert'' as a variant of ''extrovert''), but ''extravert'' is more typical in psychology ([[Corsini]]'s ''Encyclopedia of Psychology'' prefers ''extravert'').</ref>) tend to be [[gregarious]], [[assertive]], and interested in seeking out excitement. Introverts, in contrast, tend to be more reserved, less outgoing, and less sociable. They are not necessarily [[loner]]s but they tend to have smaller circles of friends and are less likely to thrive on making new social contacts. Introverts are less likely to seek stimulation from others because their own thoughts and imagination are stimulating enough. The terms ''introversion'' and ''extraversion'' were first popularized by [[Carl Jung]].<ref name=Psychologischen>Jung, C.J. (1921). ''Psychologischen Typen.'' Rascher Verlag, Zurich - translation H.G. Baynes, 1923.</ref> Virtually all comprehensive models of personality include these concepts. Examples include Jung's [[Analytical psychology]], Eysenck's [[Hans Eysenck|three-factor model]], Cattell's [[16 personality factors]], the [[Big Five personality traits]], the [[four temperaments]], the [[Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory]], the [[Myers Briggs Type Indicator]], and [[Socionics]]. Extraversion and introversion are generally understood as a single [[Continuum (theory)|continuum]]. Thus, to be high on one is necessarily to be low on the other. That said, people fluctuate in their behavior all the time, and even extreme introverts and extraverts do not always act consistently. It is asserted that we live in an "extraverted society"<ref>http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evil-deeds/200811/the-therapeutic-power-sleep</ref> that rewards extrovert behavior and rejects introversion. "American culture values extraverted qualities more, and people often feel like they've been given the 'short end of the stick' after receiving their results on extraversion/introversion tests."<ref>http://www.socionics.us/theory/ext_int.shtml</ref> ==Varieties== ===Extraversion=== ''Extraversion'' is "the act, state, or habit of being predominantly concerned with and obtaining gratification from what is outside the self".<ref name="mw">Merriam Webster Dictionary.</ref> Extraverts tend to enjoy human interactions and to be [[enthusiastic]], [[talkative]], [[assertive]], and [[gregarious]]. They take pleasure in activities that involve large social gatherings, such as parties, community activities, public demonstrations, and business or political groups. Politics, teaching, sales, managing, and brokering are fields that favor extraversion. An extraverted person is likely to enjoy time spent with people and find less reward in time spent alone. They tend to be energized when around other people, and they are more prone to boredom when they are by themselves. ===Introversion=== ''Introversion'' is "the state of or tendency toward being wholly or predominantly concerned with and interested in one's own mental life".<ref name= "mw"/> Introverts tend to be more reserved and less assertive in social situations. They often take pleasure in solitary activities such as reading, writing, drawing, and using computers. The [[archetypal]] [[artist]], [[writer]], [[sculptor]], [[composer]], and [[inventor]] are all highly introverted. An introvert is likely to enjoy time spent alone and find less reward in time spent with large groups of people, though they tend to enjoy interactions with close friends. They prefer to concentrate on a single activity at a time and like to observe situations before they participate.<ref name=intro>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2602/is_0003/ai_2602000328 Introversion] ''Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood & Adolescence''. Gale Research, 1998.</ref> Introverts are easily overwhelmed by too much stimulation from social gatherings and engagement. They are more analytical before speaking.<ref name="marti">Laney, Marti Olsen (2002). The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World. Workman Publishing. ISBN 0-7611-2369-5.</ref> Introversion is generally not the same as [[shyness]]. Introverts choose solitary over social activities by preference, whereas shy people avoid social encounters out of fear.<ref>[http://psychcentral.com/library/shyness.htm All About Shyness] Meredith Whitten, Psych Central, 21 Aug 2001; Accessed 2007-08-02</ref> ===Ambiversion=== Although many people view being introverted or extraverted as a question with only two possible answers, most contemporary trait theories (e.g. the Big Five) measure levels of extraversion-introversion as part of a single, continuous dimension of personality, with some scores near one end, and others near the half-way mark.<ref>[http://allpsych.com/personalitysynopsis/trait_application.html The OCEAN of Personality] Personality Synopsis, Chapter 4: Trait Theory. AllPsych Online. Last updated March 23, 2004</ref> ''Ambiversion'' is a term used to describe people who fall more or less directly in the middle and exhibit tendencies of both groups.<ref name= "mw"/><ref>Cohen D. and Schmidt J.P. (1979) [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16367029&dopt=AbstractPlus Ambiversion: characteristics of midrange responders on the Introversion-Extraversion continuum.] California School of Professional Psychology, Berkeley, USA. Journal of Personality Assessment 1979 Oct;43(5):514-6</ref> An ambivert is normally comfortable with groups and enjoys social interaction, but also relishes time alone and away from the crowd. ==Measurement== Extraversion-introversion is normally measured by self-report. A [[questionnaire]] might ask if the test-taker agrees or disagrees with statements such as ''I am the life of the party'' or ''I think before I talk''. Imagine a questionnaire consisting of ten "agree or disagree" statements. For the first five questions, agreement indicates a tendency towards extraversion, while for the last five questions, agreement indicates introversion. Five people take this questionnaire and answer as follows: {| class="wikitable" |+ ! ! John ! Maria ! Timothy ! Sarah ! David |- | ''I am the life of the party.'' |Agree |Agree |Agree |Disagree |Disagree |- | ''I enjoy being the center of attention.'' |Agree |Disagree |Agree |Disagree |Disagree |- | ''I am skilled in handling social situations.'' |Agree |Agree |Agree |Disagree |Disagree |- | ''I like to be where the action is.'' |Agree |Agree |Disagree |Agree |Disagree |- | ''I make new friends easily.'' |Agree |Agree |Disagree |Agree |Disagree |- | ''I am quiet around strangers.'' |Disagree |Disagree |Agree |Disagree |Agree |- | ''I don't like to draw attention to myself.'' |Disagree |Agree |Agree |Agree |Agree |- | ''I don't like to party on the weekends.'' |Disagree |Disagree |Agree |Agree |Agree |- | ''I like to work independently.'' |Disagree |Agree |Disagree |Agree |Agree |- | ''I often enjoy spending time by myself.'' |Disagree |Disagree |Disagree |Agree |Agree |- | Score |100% '''Extravert''' |70% '''Extravert''' |50% Extravert<br> 50% Introvert <br> ('''Ambivert''') |70% '''Introvert''' |100% '''Introvert''' |- |} In this example, John and Maria are extraverted, Sarah and David are introverted, and Timothy is neither. Self-report questionnaires have obvious limitations in that people may misrepresent themselves either intentionally or through lack of self-knowledge. It is also common to use peer report or observation. Another approach is to present test-takers with various sets of adjectives (for example: ''thoughtful'', ''talkative'', ''energetic'', ''independent'') and ask which describes them most and least. Psychological measures of this trait may break it down into subfactors including warmth, affiliation, positive affect, excitement seeking, and assertiveness/dominance seeking. ==Causes== ===Jungian theory=== According to [[Carl Jung]], introversion and extraversion refer to the direction of [[psychic energy]]. If a person’s psychic energy usually flows outwards then he or she is an extravert, while if the energy usually flows inwards, the person is an introvert.<ref name = "jung"> [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,807036-3,00.html The Old Wise Man] Time magazine article about Jung, Feb. 14, 1955</ref> Extraverts feel an increase of perceived energy when interacting with a large group of people, but a decrease of energy when left alone. Conversely, introverts feel an increase of energy when alone, but a decrease of energy when surrounded by a large group of people. Most modern psychologists consider theories of psychic energy to be obsolete. First, it is difficult to [[operational definition|operationalize]] mental "energy" in ways that can be scientifically measured and tested. Second, more detailed explanations of extraversion and the brain have replaced Jung's rather speculative theories.<ref>See [[Extraversion and introversion#Biological factors|Biological factors in extraversion and introversion]].</ref> Nevertheless, the concept is still in popular usage in the general sense of "feeling energized" in particular situations. Jung’s primary legacy in this area may be the popularizing of the terms introvert and extravert to refer to a particular dimension of personality. ===Eysenck's theory=== [[Hans Eysenck]] described extraversion-introversion as the degree to which a person is outgoing and interactive with other people. These behavioral differences are presumed to be the result of underlying differences in brain physiology.<ref>Eysenck, H. J. (1967). ''The biological basis of personality''. Springfield, IL: Thomas Publishing.</ref> Extraverts seek excitement and social activity in an effort to heighten their arousal level, whereas introverts tend to avoid social situations in an effort to keep such arousal to a minimum. Eysenck designated extraversion as one of three major traits in his P-E-N model of personality, which also includes [[psychoticism]] and [[neuroticism]]. Eysenck originally suggested that extraversion was a combination of two major tendencies, impulsiveness and sociability. He later added several other more specific traits, namely liveliness, activity level, and excitability. These traits are further linked in his personality hierarchy to even more specific habitual responses, such as partying on the weekend. Eysenck compared this trait to the [[four temperaments]] of ancient medicine, with choleric and sanguine temperaments equating to extraversion, and melancholic and phlegmatic temperaments equating to introversion.<ref>Eysenck, H. J. and Eysenck, S. G. B. (1965). ''The Eysenck Personality Inventory''. ''British Journal of Educational Studies'', Vol. 14, No. 1 (Nov., 1965), p. 140 doi:10.2307/3119050.</ref> [[Image:Retos-twins.jpg|thumb|[[Twin studies]] find that extraversion/introversion has a [[Genetics|genetic]] component.]] ===Biological factors=== The relative importance of [[nature versus nurture|nature versus environment]] in determining the level of extraversion 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 that are not shared between siblings.<ref>Auke Tellegen, David T Lykken, Thomas J. Bouchard, Jr., Kimberly J. Wilcox, Nancy L. Segal, Stephen Rich (1988). [http://home.iprimus.com.au/burgess1/auke.html Personality Similarity in Twins Reared Apart and Together] Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Vol. 54, no. 6. 1031-1039.</ref> Eysenck proposed that extraversion was caused by variability in [[Cerebral cortex|cortical]] arousal. He hypothesized that introverts are characterized by higher levels of activity than extraverts and so are chronically more cortically aroused than extraverts. The fact that extraverts require more external stimulation than introverts has been interpreted as evidence for this hypothesis. Other evidence of the "stimulation" hypothesis is that introverts salivate more than extraverts in response to a drop of lemon juice.<ref>[http://www.planet-science.com/wired/wiredNL/archive/22_18_03_05.html Lemon juice experiment] Wired-up March 18, 2005, issue: 22. Note that this is an online demonstration of research published in peer reviewed journals.</ref> Extraversion has been linked to higher sensitivity of the mesolimbic dopamine system to potentially rewarding stimuli.<ref>Depue, R. A., & Collins, P. F. (1999). Neurobiology of the structure of personality: Dopamine, facilitation of incentive motivation, and extraversion. ''Behavioral and Brain Sciences'', ''22'', 491-517.</ref> This in part explains the high levels of positive affect found in extraverts, since they will more intensely feel the excitement of a potential reward. One consequence of this is that extraverts can more easily learn the contingencies for positive reinforcement, since the reward itself is experienced as greater. One study found that introverts have more blood flow in the [[frontal lobes]] of their [[brain]] and the anterior or frontal [[thalamus]], which are areas dealing with internal processing, such as planning and problem solving. Extraverts have more blood flow in the anterior [[cingulate gyrus]], [[temporal lobes]], and posterior thalamus, which are involved in sensory and emotional experience.<ref>Johnson, D. L., Wiebe, J. S., Gold, S. M., Andreasen, N. C. (1999). Cerebral blood flow and personality: A positron emission tomography study. American Journal of Psychiatry, 156, 252-257.</ref> This study and other research indicates that introversion-extraversion is related to individual differences in brain function. ==Behavior== Extraverts and introverts have a variety of behavioral differences. According to the ''Journal of Psychosomatic Research'', extraverts are more prone to obesity: men in the most extrovert category were 1.73 times more likely to be obese than their most introvert counterparts, while extrovert women were 1.53 times as likely to be obese. <ref>Tibbets, Graham. Fat people are extroverts, research shows. [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1576218/Fat-people-are-extroverts-research-shows.html]</ref> According to another study, extraverts tend to wear more decorative clothing, whereas introverts prefer practical, comfortable clothes.<ref>Sharma, R. S. (1980). Clothing behaviour, personality, and values: A correlational study. ''Psychological Studies'', ''25'', 137-142.</ref> Extraverts are likely to prefer more upbeat, conventional, and energetic music than introverts.<ref>Rentfrow, P. J., & Gosling, S. D. (2003). The do re mi's of everyday life: The structure and personality correlates of music preference. ''Journal of Personality and Social Psychology'', ''84'', 1236-1256.</ref> Personality also influences how people arrange their work areas. In general, extraverts decorate their offices more, keep their doors open, keep extra chairs nearby, and are more likely to put dishes of candy on their desks. These are attempts to invite co-workers and encourage interaction. Introverts, in contrast, decorate less and tend to arrange their workspace to discourage social interaction.<ref>Gosling, S. (2008). ''Snoop''. New York: Basic Books.</ref> Although extraverts and introverts have real personality and behavior differences, it is important to avoid [[pigeonholing]] or [[stereotyping]] by personality. Humans are complex and unique, and because extraversion varies along a continuum, they may have a mixture of both orientations. A person who acts introverted in one scenario may act extraverted in another, and people can learn to act “against type” in certain situations. Jung's theory states that when someone's primary function is extraverted, his secondary function is always introverted (and vice versa).<ref name=Psychologischen/> ==Mental health== Acknowledging that introversion and extraversion are normal variants of behavior can help in self-acceptance and understanding of others. For example, an extravert can accept her introverted partner’s need for space, while an introvert can acknowledge his extraverted partner’s need for social interaction. Social psychologist [[David Myers (academic)|David Myers]] found a correlation between extraversion and [[happiness]]; that is, more extraverted people reported higher levels of personal happiness.<ref>Myers, David G (1992). [http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-19920701-000027.html The Secrets of Happiness] Psychology Today.</ref> The causality is not clear, however. Extraversion may lead to greater happiness, happier people may become more extraverted, or there may be some other factor such as genetics that affects both. It is also possible that the results reflect biases in the survey itself.<ref>Laney, Marti Olsen (2002). The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extravert World. Workman Publishing. ISBN 0-7611-2369-5.</ref> Another factor is that introversion is generally regarded as less healthy in the Western culture. Other cultures, such as the culture of Japan, prize introversion.<ref name="marti"/> Also, according to Carl Jung, introverts acknowledge more readily their psychological needs and problems, whereas extraverts tend to be oblivious of them because they focus more on the outer world.<ref name=Psychologischen/> On average, extraverts also have a somewhat higher self-esteem than introverts. As in the case of happiness, this may be due to inherent differences in the brain, or differential social treatment. Extraversion is perceived as socially desirable in modern-day societies, but it is not always an advantage. For example, extraverted youths are more likely to engage in [[delinquent]] behavior.<ref>Ryckman, R. (2004). Theories of Personality. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.</ref>Conversely, while introversion is perceived as less socially desirable, introversion is strongly associated with positive traits such as intelligence<ref>Furnham, A., L. Forde and T. Cotter (1998). Personality and intelligence. Personality and Individual Differences 24:2, 187-192.</ref> and "giftedness."<ref>Gallagher, S.A. (1990). Personality patterns of the gifted. Understanding our Gifted, 3, 11-3.</ref><ref>Hoehn, L. & Birely, M.K. (1988). Mental process preferences of gifted children. Illinois Council for the Gifted Journal, 7, 28-31.</ref> For many years, researchers have found that introverts tend to be more successful in academic environments, which extraverts may find boring.<ref> Eysenck, H. J. (1971). Readings in Extraversion-Introversion. New York: Wiley.</ref> [[Career]] counselors often use personality traits, along with other factors such as skill and interest, to advise their clients.<ref>Ateel, Saqib Ali (2005). [http://www.personality-and-aptitude-career-tests.com/personality-career-tests.html Personality Career Tests].</ref> Some careers such as computer programming may be more satisfying for an introverted temperament, while other areas such as sales may be more agreeable to the extraverted type. Although neither introversion nor extraversion is pathological, [[psychotherapist]]s can take temperament into account when treating clients. Clients may respond better to different types of treatment depending on where they fall on the introversion/extraversion spectrum. [[Teacher]]s can also consider temperament when dealing with their pupils, for example acknowledging that introverted children need more encouragement to speak in class while extraverted children may grow restless during long periods of quiet study. ==Geography== {{globalize/USA|section}} Researchers have found that people living in the midwestern states of [[North Dakota]], [[South Dakota]], [[Nebraska]], [[Minnesota]], [[Wisconsin]], and [[Illinois]] score higher than the U.S. average on extraversion. [[Utah]] and the southeastern states of [[Florida]] and [[Georgia (U. S. state)|Georgia]] also score high on this personality trait. The most introverted states in the United States are [[Maryland]], [[New Hampshire]], [[Alaska]], [[Washington]], and [[Vermont]]. People who live in the northwestern states of [[Idaho]], [[Montana]], and [[Wyoming]] are also relatively introverted.<ref>{{Cite news | url = http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122211987961064719.html?mod=yhoofront | title = The United States of Mind. Researchers Identify Regional Personality Traits Across America | author = Stephanie Simon | work = [[WSJ.com]] | date = 2008-09-23 }} Original research article: {{Cite journal | author = Peter J. Rentfrow, Samuel D. Gosling and Jeff Potter | title = A Theory of the Emergence, Persistence, and Expression of Geographic Variation in Psychological Characteristics | journal = Perspectives on Psychological Science | volume = 3 | issue = 5 | pages = 339&ndash;369 | year = 2008 | url = http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121394239/abstract }}</ref> ==See also== *[[Analytical Psychology]] *[[Big Five personality traits]] *[[Myers-Briggs Type Indicator]] *[[Personality psychology|Personality]] *[[Trait theory]] ==Notes and references== {{Reflist|2}} {{Psychology portal}} ==External links== *[http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Jung/types.htm General description of the types] Jung's original article (1921) *[http://www.open2.net/humanmind/article_personality_3.htm BBC - The Human Mind - Personality] Description of introversion and extraversion, focusing on reward-seeking behavior *[http://changingminds.org/explanations/preferences/extravert_introvert.htm Changing Minds] Another description of introversion and extraversion, taking a Jungian view *[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2602/is_0002/ai_2602000236 Extroversion] ''Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood & Adolescence''. Gale Research, 1998. *[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2602/is_0003/ai_2602000328 Introversion] ''Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood & Adolescence''. Gale Research, 1998. *[http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/2006-06-06-shy-ceo-usat_x.htm USA Today article about CEO introverts/extroverts] *[http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200303/rauch Caring for Your Introvert] ''Article in [[the Atlantic]], March 2003'' [[Category:Personality traits]] [[Category:Personality typologies]] [[Category:Dichotomies]] [[ar:شخصية انطوائية]] [[bg:Екстравертност и интровертност]] [[ca:Introversió i extraversió]] [[cs:Extraverze a introverze]] [[da:Extravert (psykologi)]] [[de:Introversion und Extraversion]] [[es:Introversión y extraversión]] [[fa:برونگرایی و درونگرایی]] [[fr:Introversion et extraversion]] [[hr:Ekstraverzija]] [[it:Introversione e estroversione]] [[he:מופנמות - מוחצנות]] [[sw:Silika kadiri ya C. G. Jung]] [[ku:Întroversiyon]] [[lt:Asmenybės tipas]] [[nl:Introvert en extravert]] [[pl:Introwersja i ekstrawersja]] [[ru:Интроверсия — экстраверсия]] [[simple:Introversion and Extroversion]] [[sr:Екстраверзија и интроверзија]] [[fi:Introvertti ja ekstrovertti]] [[uk:Інтроверсія - екстраверсія]] [[zh:外向性与内向性]]'