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The traits of introversion and extraversion are key elements in some human personality theories. The terms extraversion and introversion were proposed by Carl Jung. Extraversion is revealed in talkative, outgoing, and active behavior, whereas introversion is revealed in more contemplative and reserved behavior.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts… writer Susan Cain describes extraversion and introversion in terms of priorities for different levels of stimulation -distinguishing it from fear of social judgment or shyness. Introverts prefer loneliness to social activities.
Characteristics of introverts and extroverts
Introverts
recharge by spending time alone
reflect before deciding and acting
listen more than talk
more sociable with people they know
enjoy one-on-one conversation
introspective
self-aware
learn thorough observations
Extroverts
Recharge by socializing
Decide quickly
Speak more
Enjoy being the center of attention
Outgoing
Easily distracted
Action-oriented
Sociable and expressive
Great communicators
Extraversion and introversion are commonly regarded as a single continuum, so to be high in one necessitates being low in the other. Besides extroverts and introverts, some psychologists sometimes distinguish two other types – ambiverts and omniverts.
Extrovert is a sociable, somewhat unreserved personality. Likes and recharges by being with other people.
Introvert is prefers barely stimulating environments and desires time alone to recharge.
Omnivert is someone who can be either at various times.
Ambivert is representing aspects of both introversion and extraversion.
According to Barry Smith, director of the Laboratories of Human Psychophysiology at the University of Maryland, ambiverts make up 68% of the population.
That may seem astonishing for some since Americans are thought to be very extroverted compared to Europeans, but the truth is that the culture really values extroversion over introversion. However, the value of extroversion over introversion doesn’t make extroversion more dominant. It just pressures people who find themselves on the introversion side of the spectrum to behave more extroverted, while true extroverts get positive reinforcement from the American culture that their temperament is the default.
The results from two randomized samples reveal that half of the U.S. population is introverted, or at least falls along the introvert side of the spectrum (50.2% of the U.S. population is slightly more introverted). The map below shows extraversion and introversion in the United States according to the NERIS Analytics data.
The most extroverted states in the United States are California and New York (50.9%). Texas, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, and Illinois are also more extroverted than introverted. The most introverted states in the United States are West Virginia (53.3%) accompanied by Maine (53.2%), Alaska, and Wyoming (52.9%).
According to Susan Cain, author of the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, the modern Western culture misjudges the capabilities of introverted people, favor extroverted personalities, people who act quickly, appear friendly, and are outgoing.
While a majority of Eastern cultures favor people who are more reflective, quiet, and appear serene. Introverts in these cultures don’t feel the stigma to be extroverted and so are more accepting of their natural identity.
