SRI SRI UNIVERSITY

Personality is an individual’s characteristics, a pattern of feeling, thinking and behaving.These unique characteristics and behaviour patterns are what distinguishes one human from another. Two main theories help identify a person’s personality type, i.e., introvert or extrovert. The idea of two polar personalities was first described by Swiss-German psychologist Carl Jung, who coined the terms introversion and extroversion.

Jung’s theory was further elaborated by Hans Eysenck, a German psychologist who defined introverts and extroverts by their baseline arousal. Eysenck believed that the difference between extroverts and introverts was at levels of arousal. Further, it is determined by stimulation and responsiveness these people have to their surroundings. He proposed that the rate of arousal for extroverts is tremendously lower, so they must seek more stimulating activities to be at the normal state of arousal.This is why they seek adventure and the company of others. On the other hand, introverts have a higher rate of arousal, so it doesn’t take as much to raise it to the normal state.This is why the adventure extroverts pursue may be overwhelming for them, so they would rather be in their own company.

Psychological theories represent the abstract concept of human behaviour in more understandable terms. Based on dynamic personality characteristics, some theories strive to predict the suitability of the individual of future circumstances. Matching people’s personality and interaction styles to congruent careers and educational techniques save time, money and ennui for everyone in the equation.

An introvert is someone comfortable and enjoys being by themselves and they are in their heads more than they are out in the real world, they are deep thinkers, they are more comfortable being alone and do not enjoy the serenity. Their energy tends to drain when they are interacting and socializing with other people. On the other hand, an extrovert is the opposite of the introvert. The extrovert is a social butterfly, loves to go out, interacts and socialize with people. They excited by people, they draw their energy from other people from the external environment. They don’t like to be by themselves and don’t like to be in their head all the time. These are the two distinctive definitions.

An introvert on the fundamental level thinks and believes that his real world is in his mind,he lives in a world of ideas. An introvert is so absorbed in his/her thoughts and analysis or processing of the sensory perception from around the world. They are also very powerful observers. This aids them in understanding the nature of human interactions and enables them to be more conscious of what they are doing. People who are high in extroversion tend to seek out social stimulation and opportunities to engage with others. They tend to be happier, more successful and more likely to be leaders than introverts. When we ask a question to an extrovert, he response immediately but an introvert takes time to think and then respond.

The terms “introvert” and “extrovert” describes how one can focus their attention or energy, whether their source is intrinsic or extrinsic. This is only one of four psychological modes(thinking, sensation, feeling and intuition) postulated by Carl Jung, but the best known by the general public. Introverts and extroverts are not simply opposites in a single continuum. While most of us have made peace with our natural tendencies, probably wished at times to be less like ourselves and more like someone our opposite or at least coveted some of our traits.

Both categories have pros and cons. Extroverts with a touch of introversion or vice versa, the ambiverts tend to find more doors open to them than those at either extreme. Introverts can learn to be chattier and more spontaneous. Extroverts can learn to watch and talk less. And whatever they’ve acquired through their genes or upbringing is not permanent. To some extent, it is malleable and can be nudged.