Carl Jung coined the terms introvert and extrovert, but didn’t think there were people who existed purely as one or the other. Most people fall somewhere on the scale in between the two extremes. How introverted or extroverted are you?
Images by Leremy (Shutterstock).
We’ve talked about this topic frequently on Lifehacker, even showing you how introverts and extroverts can exist together peacefully. What we’ve learned is that the issue isn’t nearly as clear-cut as people like to think.
For some people, position on that scale changes depending on their mood or as they age. Others exhibit a combination of tendencies associated with being an introvert or extrovert. It’s interesting stuff, as is the science behind it.
But for now, we’d like to know where you are on the scale. Tell us in the comments below.
Comments
11 responses to “Are You More Introverted Or Extroverted?”
Yep, I find as I get older I’m getting a little more introverted year by year, but you get my back up, and I become very extroverted indeed..! 🙂
Last time I did a work related Myers Briggs Test I actually came out around 80% introverted as a Dominant Introverted Intuitive Types.
However when I’m with people (either work colleges, or people with common interests) I love being with extroverted people as it helps me break down the walls of my Introversion.
Im the other side of that coin, Im an ENTP
I’d pay no attention to a myers briggs test. Anyone that wants to run one of those on you may as well pick a bunch of personalities out of a hat.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator#Criticism
http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4221
http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator#Criticism
I rank as a strong introvert when I do those tests. I would agree with that ranking.
I’m definitely an introvert – I rank as a ISTJ on the Myers-Briggs scale. I can put on an extroverted act around my friends, but I can only maintain that facade for so long before I need time by myself to recharge.
I’ve never done the Myers-Briggs test, but I’d mostly consider myself an extrovert who needs regularly-scheduled alone time a couple of evenings a week to unwind.
I rank as an INTJ, I definitely show introverted tendencies.
I think some people get confused about how to identify themselves as one or the other.
The general understanding is “I like hanging spending time with people” (extrovert) or “I like spending time alone” (introvert). The problem is, most people actually do both so they think they’re introverted or extroverted when they’re really more inclined to the opposite. A more accurate way of identifying what type you lean towards is how you recharge your mental batteries or unwind.
When you’re stressed, to relax do you need to go off and spend time doing something alone like reading a book (introvert) or do you prefer to spend time socialising with friends (extrovert)?
Extroversion and introversion have got to be some of the most misunderstood concepts in psychology. Being extroverted doesn’t necessarily mean you’re loud and outgoing, just as being introverted doesn’t mean you’re necessarily quiet and shy. Extroverted just means that you gain energy from social situations, whereas introverts find that social situations cost them energy. So an extrovert can still be quiet in a social situation, but still feel completely comfortable and can move from one social situation to another. Conversely, an introvert might be really talkative but may need some time afterwards to just chill out on their own.
Edit: For the record, I’m an ESTP (not that the Myers Briggs is really taken that seriously in modern day psychology anyway).
my psychiatrist says I am a social introvert which means I can talk when I need too, but for as much effort that I put into social situations I really need a lot of time alone to gain my energy back.