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by Gregg Prescott, M.S. Are you an introvert or extrovert? Society dictates that people need to be with other people and that it’s abnormal to be withdrawn, but is being an introvert more of a blessing than a curse? The Meyers-Briggs test will help you determine if you are an introvert or an extrovert. You can take the test here. Extraversion is "the act, state, or habit of being predominantly concerned with and obtaining gratification from what is outside the self". Extroverts 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 extroverted 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 is "the state of or tendency toward being wholly or predominantly concerned with and interested in one's own mental life". Some popular writers have characterized introverts as people whose energy tends to expand through reflection and dwindle during interaction. The common modern perception is that introverts tend to be more reserved and less outspoken in groups. They often take pleasure in solitary activities such as reading, writing, using computers, hiking and fishing. The archetypal artist, writer, sculptor, engineer, 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 he or she may enjoy interactions with close friends. Trust is usually an issue of significance: a virtue of utmost importance to an introvert choosing a worthy companion. They prefer to concentrate on a single activity at a time and like to observe situations before they participate, especially observed in developing children and adolescents. They are more analytical before speaking. Introverts are easily overwhelmed by too much stimulation from social gatherings and engagement, introversion having even been defined by some in terms of a preference for a quiet, more minimally stimulating environment. Introversion is not seen as being identical to shy or to being a social outcast. Introverts prefer solitary activities over social ones, whereas shy people (who may be extroverts at heart) avoid social encounters out of fear, and the social outcast has little choice in the matter of his or her solitude.
Extroverts and introverts have a variety of behavioral differences. According to one study, extroverts tend to wear more decorative clothing, whereas introverts prefer practical, comfortable clothes. Extroverts are likely to prefer more upbeat, conventional, and energetic music than introverts. Personality also influences how people arrange their work areas. In general, extroverts 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.
Although extroverts 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 extroverted in another, and people can learn to act "against type" in certain situations. Jung's theory states that when someone's primary function is extroverted, his secondary function is always introverted (and vice versa). Extroversion is perceived as socially desirable in Western culture, but it is not always an advantage. For example, extroverted youths are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior. Conversely, while introversion is perceived as less socially desirable, it is strongly associated with positive traits such as intelligence and "giftedness." Introverts usually have a very strong relationship with themselves are less apt to pretend to be someone they’re not because of how society judges us. They are true to themselves and are willing to pay the price of being genuine versus how society expects them to be. Before you can have a relationship with anyone, you need to develop a relationship with yourself. Many people on this planet have no clue about who they are because they’re too busy pretending to be someone they’re not. Often, these people will live their entire lives pretending to be what society expects them to be, and never knowing who they truly are.
It is difficult for many extroverts to understand why introverted people are the way they are. The extrovert will view then introvert as antisocial or reclusive when neither may apply to that particular individual. Introverts are equally as happy being with themselves as extroverts are with being with other people, yet the introvert may be tagged as being lonely or a loner. While the stigma of what society places upon the introvert may cause initial opinions to be formulated, the truth is that many introverts are highly sensitive and empathic individuals. Many people who are into the spiritual and metaphysical fields are introverts, as they are continuously reflecting inwards instead of looking outward and to what society may think of them.
And for the record, I am an INFP on the Meyers-Briggs test, which means I am an introvert and damn proud of it!. :) This is why I shy away from interviews because I don’t care about being the center of attention. I truly appreciate spending time with myself and find that group interaction often leads to the cluttering of the mind when it’s with non-like-minded people. Ultimately, all of the truth I need to know is within.
Those who are introverts are in good company, including people such as Rosa Parks, Charles Darwin, J.K. Rowling, Albert Einstein and Mahatma Gandhi. If you are an extrovert, then please try to understand how the introvert thinks. He or she is not lonely and doesn’t need attention! They are not maladjusted or socially inept. They’re perfectly normal for their disposition.
If you're an introvert, then allow the extrovert the right to be his or herself, without judgment, insecurity or disregard. This is their life path and journey, not yours! Are you and extrovert or an introvert? comments powered by Disqus
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The dichotomy that presents itself is a tale of two stories. The extrovert is very outgoing and thrives on social interaction, sometime regardless of the cost. In general, many extroverts are willing to follow the path of conformity in order to appease the masses while introverts are more likely to follow the beat of their own drummer. 
