In this article, we provide you an insight into introvert-extrovert comparison in order to help you determine which personality trait has an edge over the other.
Introversion and extroversion are basic personality traits in humans. While the former is more often restricted to one’s own thoughts and feelings, the latter concerns with more of the outer world. This is just one of the many differences between introverts and extroverts.
Introverts and Extroverts
Going by the simplest possible explanation, an introvert is one who gets energized in solitude, while an extrovert is one who gets energized by the presence of people around him. However, there is a lot more to these two concepts, which we have tried to explain below.
Introverts
In psychology, introversion is defined as “the state of, or tendency towards being wholly or predominantly concerned with and interest in one’s own mental life.” Introverts are more often self-consciousness, passionate, quiet, and deliberate. They are not so social and prefer to spend time in loneliness, doing a range of activities, like reading, writing, painting, etc., which makes them happy. Being in a crowded room makes them nervous and anxious. Introverts tend to think before talking―a characteristic which extroverts lack.
Extroverts
In psychology, extroversion is defined as “the act, state, or habit of being predominantly concerned with and obtaining gratification from what is outside the self.” Extroverts are assertive, enthusiastic, talkative, blunt, etc. These people are quite social and tend to get bored when they don’t have people around them. You are bound to find these people in social gatherings, ranging from charged-up parties to more serious community activities. Extroverts do well in careers like politics, teaching, marketing, etc.
Personality Comparison
While introverts are more interested in their own thoughts and feelings, extroverts are more interested in what is happening around them―that’s the basic difference between the two personality traits. Introverts seek their own personal space and don’t like anyone invading it. On the other hand, extroverts are more into socializing and tend to welcome anyone with a smile on their face. Usually, introverts are reserved and don’t have many friends. In fact, they don’t even like unexpected visitors. Extroverts are open and make new friends with ease. They seldom face problem in assimilating in a new group. Introverts more often appear to be quiet and thoughtful. Extroverts though, are open to discussions and prefer comparing themselves with others. Introverts think and analyze the situation before they speak. Extroverts, on the other hand, are quite blunt in nature and speak whatever they think.
While introverts and extroverts find themselves at loggerheads, relationships between two people of either personality trait cannot be ruled out. On the contrary, going by the rule ‘opposites attract’, an introvert and an extrovert are more likely to make a happy couple. Though minor problems are inevitable in this relationship, knowing the difference between the two traits can be helpful in making a smooth sail.
Both introversion and extroversion beyond a limit can turn out to be a problem. Though both the traits are found at the extreme ends of the spectrum, no individual is purely an introvert or an extrovert. The fact is that most of us have both these personality traits in us, with one trait being more dominating than the other.
