Extroversion is an inherent personality trait commonly associated with the Myers Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®). People who gather energy or “recharge” by interacting with the outside world are considered Extroverted. For example, someone with Extroverted tendencies may unwind after a long day by attending a social gathering or playing a team sport, while someone with Introverted tendencies might instead prefer to go for a quiet walk or spend time with a small group of close friends.
How Was Extroversion Discovered?
Extroversion as a personality trait was first proposed in a psychiatric text called Psychological Types, which was written by Carl Jung in 1921. In his studies, Jung identified several different continua that characterize individuals. For instance, he observed that people differ in how they absorb and process new information, how they make decisions, and more. Extroversion, and its opposite Introversion, are Myers-Briggs® personality types that characterize whether people glean energy from external or internal sources.
While Jung’s discoveries were groundbreaking, his writing was so technical that it was almost incomprehensible to average people, if they even knew about Psychological Types in the first place. Two decades later, Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers built on Jung’s foundation and created the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®). This career resource and assessment applied Jung’s insights and presented them in a practical format so that people could use them to learn more about themselves as well as improve their personal relationships, career trajectories, and their lives overall.
Types of Extroverts
Estimates suggest that 60-75% of Americans are Extroverts. As you can imagine, Extroversion takes many different forms and can manifest in a broad range of preferences and behaviors. However, there are two general categories of Extroverts. Agentic Extroverts are characterized by their confidence, assertiveness, and persistence. They can also be competitive and motivated by financial rewards or public recognition. As a result, Agentic Extroverts are often drawn to leadership positions within their respective organizations. In contrast, Affiliative Extroverts can be identified by their social tendencies. Affiliative Extroverts are friendly and warm with everyone they meet. They naturally develop friendships quickly and with many kinds of people.
Key Characteristics of Myers-Briggs Extroverts
Specific behaviors can vary significantly from person to person. However, there are still overarching features that characterize most Extroverts and that define Myers-Briggs® Extrovert as a category.
- Extroverts Gain Energy Through External Interactions.
Extroverts recharge by interacting with other people and with the world around them. While they may enjoy some alone time here or there, for instance watching a movie, Extroverts need to spend time with other people to feel fully relaxed. Extroverts often have large circles of friends and acquaintances, and they fill their calendars with events and activities that provide the opportunity to engage with others.
- Extroverts Think Out Loud.
Extroverts thrive in social situations. As a result, they may find that they process new ideas or information more effectively when they can discuss and explore them with other people. Similarly, Extroverts may be able to come up with more innovative or creative solutions to problems when brainstorming in teams or during workshops.
- Extroverts Thrive in Open Work Environments.
Most Extroverts do not need privacy to focus or be productive, in sharp contrast to their more Introverted colleagues. Therefore, Extroverts typically do well in loosely structured or collaborative workplace environments. For instance, an Extrovert may be comfortable sharing a large table with other employees, while a more Introverted person may prefer a private cubicle or even an office that can be fully secured. Extroverts also tend to participate more actively in meetings than their Introverted colleagues do.
- Extroverts Find Busy Situations Invigorating.
Because Extroverts draw energy from the world around them, they often find busy environments exciting and invigorating rather than overstimulating. For example, an Extrovert may unwind after a long day by playing a team sport, going dancing with friends, or attending a convention related to a hobby. Such sensory input can distract Extroverts from any preoccupations, effectively giving them a break and helping them prepare for the next day.
- Extroverts Prefer Working With Others.
Extroverts generally enjoy and succeed in professions that allow them to interact with other people. If you are an Extrovert, you may want to consider a career as a salesperson, journalist, real estate agent, or something similar. In all of these roles, employees must interact with customers, consultants, suppliers, and other salespeople. On the other hand, Extroverts may find careers that involve independent work to be boring or isolating.
Myths About Myers-Briggs® Extroverts
- Extroverts Hate Being Alone.
Everyone needs a break from other people sometimes. While Extroverts do recharge from interacting with others, they can still be reflective and introspective at times. Extroversion as a personality trait does not imply that someone is uncomfortable with themselves or that they hate being alone.
- Extroverts Are Always Strong Leaders.
While Extroverts may have a greater proclivity for leadership, they still need to develop the specific skills that inspire others to take direction and follow their lead. For example, it takes time to develop a sense of when to provide answers and support and when to step back and allow others the space to determine the best course of action for themselves. Similarly, knowing how to mentor direct reports, manage teams, and encourage participation all take focus and finesse.
- Extroverts Are Always Confident Due to Their Social Adaptation.
Believe it or not, confidence is completely unrelated to Extroversion as a personality trait. Not every Introvert is socially awkward, and not every Extrovert is confident and self-assured. In fact, some Extroverts may even show signs of social anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
- Extroverts Are Shallow and Self-Absorbed.
While Extroverts do tend to be talkative, it doesn’t follow that what they have to say is insignificant, self-evident, or that it lacks gravity and substance. Many Extroverts actively listen to their conversation partners and are genuinely interested in learning more about them.
- Extroverts Are Normal and Introverts are Not.
Many aspects of modern society set the implicit expectation that people are Extroverted and that Extroversion is normal. For example, college students and young professionals are expected to go out with friends on weekends and after work. On the other hand, introspective activities are relatively rare, and introverts can be portrayed as odd or unusual. However, both personality traits are common and normal. Neither one can be considered the “default” personality trait in the overall population.
- Extroverts Are Not Creative.
Creativity is completely unrelated to Extroversion. Although stereotypically creativity is associated with solitude and a “Eureka” moment, such realizations can happen anywhere. In fact, creativity can be the result of social interaction, such as group brainstorming sessions or other contexts where people discuss ideas, inspire each other, and explore possibilities in collaboration with one another.
Causes of Extroversion
In the last several decades, hundreds if not thousands of researchers have investigated the causes of Extroversion. While this body of inquiry is nuanced and complex, most studies agree that Extroversion develops as the result of one’s genetic tendencies as well as the specific nature of one’s environment. For example, Extroverted parents are likely to have Extroverted children in part because of how these genetic traits manifest in neurological function. Several studies demonstrated that Extroverts process the neurotransmitter Dopamine differently from introverts, which results in the tendency of Extroverts to experience a release of Dopamine as pleasing stimulation, while Introverts can become overwhelmed by the same chemical state. An additional consideration is how parents socialize and raise their children. Extroverted parents are likely to involve their children in social hobbies and activities in which they will have the opportunity to meet and interact with many different people. Such hobbies may include dancing, playing sports, and participating in social musical activities. However, it is important to point out once again that one is born innately with either a preference and comfortable nature towards Introversion or Extroversion, though environmental circumstances play a role in how well these preferred ways of living are developed
Takeaway
At times, especially as we age, we tend to use our less preferred function, meaning that Extroverts can tend to be a tad more introverted as they get older towards mid-life or later, and Introverts may begin to become a little more social as they age. However, whether someone gains energy by spending time alone or by interacting with other people, it is indeed a function of their innate personality, and every one is unique. No one should feel pressured to change who they are for the sake of others. That said, it can be useful to be aware of your personality traits and preferences so you can manage them. For instance, Extroverts should ensure that they are getting enough interaction to stay positive and recharged. If you are an Extrovert who is starting to feel down or depressed, then you can apply that knowledge of your personality to prioritize getting together with friends or making plans to socialize in other ways so you can regain balance.