The terms ‘Introverts’ and ‘extroverts’ are widely known in today’s culture, especially in the field of psychology. What exactly do these popular terms mean? Assumptions have been made that they are simply fancy words for ‘shy’ and ‘outgoing’ but this is not the case. Contrary to the common misconception, they have a slightly different meaning. Whether or not a person can be labeled an introvert or extrovert is based on how they recharge their mental energy. Time alone is essential for introverts to gain back spent mental energy while extroverts gain energy from being social and interacting with others. Introverted people do not necessarily have to be shy to fit the mold, although being introverted and being shy go hand in hand. They can be quite outgoing in social settings. What makes them introverts is the need to recharge at the end of the day. Extroverts can be shy as well, although this is not common. Now that the definitions of introverts and extroverts have been cleared up, we can delve into why they’re different.
These two types of people naturally have different social preferences. An introverted person typically prefers smaller social groups, preferably consisted of people they are familiar with, to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Introverts also prefer less social time due to their tendencies to get burnt out easily. A majority of introverts enjoy calm and less rambunctious settings when with others. Extroverts, however, prefer to be in the middle of the action and participate in larger groups. Contrary to their counterparts, extroverts gain from mental stimulation, so they prioritize social time. They often thrive in high energy settings and eagerly engage with other people.
Introverts and extroverts are more apt to have personalities that conform to their social preferences. Although they are not limited to these attributes, one who is introverted is likely to be quieter and more reserved. They are also more inclined to have shy tendencies and are more prone to social anxiety. Most introverts can be described as laid back and easy going, they typically do not have loud or energetic personalities like their extroverted counterparts. Extroverts are usually more outgoing in nature and tend to be engaging. They are also talkative and likely to initiate conversations with their peers.
People who identify as introverts usually feel more comfortable in predictable situations, last minute or abrupt changes can be upsetting to them. A trait common among, but not exclusive to introverts is preferring hanging out one-on-one because it reduces social pressures and is less draining. Extroverts prefer adventurous situations and have more spontaneous tendencies. They are more likely to be found in groups or crowds because there are more social opportunities in that setting.
The terms ‘Introvert’ and ‘Extrovert’ are used to describe extremes on a broad scale and if there were a person who was purely introverted or extroverted, they would be something close to a madman. Most people fall somewhere close to the middle of the spectrum while showing stronger tendencies towards one side or the other. Others who are hybrid of both are called ambiverts, who find restorative properties in both being alone and being in the presence of other people. To determine which side of the spectrum is dominant a person must ask themselves which situation they are energized by: social situations, or spending time alone. They can then better understand their personality and act accordingly to keep themselves happy. However, while these terms may be helpful for understanding the way the human mind works, they are very general. We shouldn’t let them define us completely because they are such broad terms and we are much more complex than that.
Composition for English: October, 2018
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