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Extraversion
Trait Definition
Extraversion and its counterpart, introversion, have been the focus of many studies spanning several decades. Carl Jung (date) was the first to describe and document the trait of extroversion-introversion for study. Jung realized that extroversion differed for every person and fell somewhere on a spectrum (Guilford & Braly, 1930). According to J.P. Guilford and Kenneth W. Braly, “Extroversion is based upon a general chemical or metabolic disposition of the nervous system which produces a relative condition of general dissociation, a heightened resistance at the synapses, especially in the higher nervous centers” (Guilford and Braly, 1931). An extroverted person draws their energy from being around people where
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as an introverted person draws their energy from being alone and doesn’t need social interaction to get recharged. Extraversion viewed from the Trait Perspective and Biological Perspective The trait perspective and the biological perspective, despite their differences, can both explain extroversion. The trait perspective says that a person’s personality boils down to their personality traits, specifically the five traits that are included in the Five Factor Model, of which extraversion is one. The biological perspective views personality as something that a person is born with rather than develops. According to the biological perspective, personality is genetic and is more closely affected by a person’s genes than by their environment or experiences. Trait perspective The trait perspective of personality psychology focuses on personality traits and says that a personality is built only of traits and has little to nothing to do with the environment.
“Everyday conceptions of personality traits make two key assumptions. First, traits are stable over time… Second, it is generally believed that traits directly influence behavior” (Matthews, Deary, & Whiteman, 2003). Traits can be used as explanations or reasoning for behavior or mood. There have been several notable psychologists to agree with and study the trait theory of personality. Gordon Allport was a psychologist that devoted his work to personality psychology with a focus on the trait perspective (Allport, 1961). Carr and Kingsbury (1938) advocated for further research into personality traits and the idea that the human personality was made specifically of traits even if the traits were not always overt or observable, but rather a person’s behavior could be interpreted to learn about what traits they may …show more content…
posses. Extraversion is one of the five factors that are discussed and analyzed using the Five Factor Model, otherwise known as The Big Five. “The five-factor model of personality is a hierarchical organization of personality traits in terms of five basic dimensions: Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness to Experience” (McCrae & John, 1992). Because of its connection to the Five Factor Model, extraversion and its counterpart, introversion, have been studied for many years. The Trait perspective focuses on personality traits as the basis for a person’s personality, but the perspective relies heavily on the Five Factor Model and its contributions. Biological perspective The biological perspective focuses on the connection between biological mechanisms and personality work together. Eysenck conducted a lot of research about the connection between biology and extraversion. He stated “introverts are characterized by lower thresholds of arousal (or higher levels of activity) in the reticular activating system (ARAS) than extraverts…an important role in attention and learning” (Stelmack, 1990). Introverts do not need as much stimulation as extroverts do because introverts have predisposed higher levels of activity. Origins, Causes and Development It is easy to see differences in children, even in those that are from the same family. Some babies are extremely easy to care for and seem to always be happy while other babies are just more difficult- constantly needing to be held or coddled. The pseudo-personality that babies are born with is called their temperament. Temperament is often thought to be the foundation to the personality that will develop later on. McDougall theorized that personality was made up of five factors including intellect, disposition, temper, character and temperament (McDougall, 1929). Extroversion has been connected to both disposition and temperament, (McDougall, 1929) suggesting that it is something that a person is born with rather than develops. While many psychologists believe that extroversion begins with temperament and grows from there, they also agree that extroversion and introversion are on a spectrum at that everyone falls differently within that spectrum. A study was conducted at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville about how extroversion and the psychological sense of community were correlated. PSC or psychological sense of community has been studied due to its importance in the college community and the desire to bring students together. The researchers on this project theorized about many factors that could affect PSC and concluded that school size was important, but also that personality also played a large part in how included the students felt on campus. “As for the PSC-Extroversion link…more extroverted individuals might see an environment (i.e., a community) as higher on PSC than more introverted Individuals because of their own perceptual filters and predispositions; or extroverts might be more drawn to environments which are higher on PSC; or environments which are high or low on PSC might raise or lower a person’s avowed level of extroversion” (Lounsbury and DeNeui, 1996). Personality traits manifest themselves in different ways depending on the person who possesses them.
According to McCrae and John, extraversion can manifest itself by a person being “talkative, skilled in play/humor, having a rapid personal tempo, being facially and gesturally expressive, behaving assertively, and being gregarious” (McCrae & John, 1992)
Advantages and Disadvantages
The disadvantages of extraversion are some of the advantages of introversion and the advantages of extraversion are some of the disadvantages of introversion. Because the two personality traits are described as being on a spectrum, some psychologists think that people fall somewhere in between the two, rather than on either extreme end.
Stelmack found that overall “differences in extraversion can be referred to discrete levels of central nervous system motor activity” (Stelmack, 1990). Because of the desire and need to be around people, extraverts require more stimulation while introverts do not need others to stimulate them, they find stimulation from within or from activities that do not require other people.
Personal views and
Experiences I have always thought of myself as an extraverted person and really enjoy spending time with people, but I think a lot my extraversion comes from being encouraged to be extraverted when I was younger and seeking affection and approval from friends and family for being extraverted. Although I do not think that I am completely extraverted, I think that I am more extraverted than introverted. My mom has been telling a story about me since the day that I was born; she says that I was literally born with a smile on my face: happy from the beginning. As a child I was put into several activities with other children including gymnastics and dancing. My brother and I were both encouraged to participate in sports (softball for me and soccer for my brother) and Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Our parents also encouraged us to read and do arts and crafts, but my brother’s love for reading and art was encouraged more than mine. Despite also enjoying time doing arts and crafts, I was praised more for making friends and spending time being social. I became extremely comfortable in social situations and talking in public. In middle school and high school I realized that it was sometimes awkward and uncomfortable for me to make new friends or talk to people that I didn’t know, but I I still find comfort in spending time with friends and family and feel extreme pride in making people happy and making new friends. My friends specifically refer to me as the one to make jokes and being the most extraverted out of all of us. Even though I do consider myself an extravert, I also really enjoy spending by myself watching television or reading. I often get extremely overwhelmed when I spend too much time with people and do not get a break to be by myself for a little while. When I do take some time by myself my friends always ask me if I’m okay or upset. To them it is out of character for me to spend time by myself or to be quiet, but I actually feel more comfortable sometimes when I get to spend time by myself and reflecting and recharging my energy.
Extraversion is marked by pronounced engagement with the external world. Extraverts enjoy eing with people, are full of energy, and often experience positive emotions. They tend to be enthusiastic, action-oriented, individuals who are likely to say "Yes!" or "Let's go!" to opportunities for excitement. In groups they like to talk, assert themselves, and draw attention to themselves. (Beaumont 2003)
An extrovert may want to go out more often, much to the introvert’s dismay. Flipping the coin, the extrovert will be annoyed at the introvert’s lack of activity in the social world. Another example would be those who perceive and those who justify working together to accomplish a goal, instead of justifiers being annoyed at the perceivers for wanting to move on to project after project without accomplishing anything. Some listings are not as simple as those two, as now we get into pairs of letters. Let’s start with my pairing, “NF”. NF loves to inspire people to work, and would be ideal motivators. It helps them to help others, in other words. There are even more complex synergies or aversions, such as 16 Personalities’ archetypes going against or for each other and 16 Types’ personality types. In the real world, the lines are blurred, and that is where the percentages come into play, for example, if the world was either too borderline or too extreme all the time, nothing would get done. There should be a balance between each temperament for society to work, as it is a collaboration of each fostered personality type percentage. Otherwise it just would not work. Among the people in my life who have taken the test to find out these results, my respite provider, Carol, was one of them, followed by my mother,
Extraverts have an energy that is outwards towards people and things (Changing Minds, 2002-2011). They get their motivation from others, need a lot of stimulation, and express their motions (Changing Minds, 2002-2011). Rather than thinking of changing the world they want to change it (Changing Minds, 2002-2011). They have an attitude that is often relaxed and confident and they are understandable and accessible (Changing Minds, 2002-2011). Before thinking they act and like to communicate openly (Changing Minds, 2002-2011). They show energy and enthusiasm (Changing Minds, 2002-2011). They are often seen as shallow and pushy by introverts (Changing Minds, 2002-2011). After reading the first scenario of Joh...
German psychologist Hans Eysenck’s Model of Nervous System Temperament links temperament traits, specifically introversion and extraversion to the Central Nervous System. Introverted people are typically quiet, reserved, and timid whereas extraverts are active, sociable, and outgoing (151). According to Eysenck, introverts have high levels of brain arousal, which is controlled by the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS). Therefore, introverts do not need to seek external arousal leading them to be more reserved. Contrastingly, he argues that extraverts have lower levels of brain arousal and therefore are more sensation seeking in order to make up for it. In this paper, I will aim to synthesize and summarize some of the research regarding introversion and extraversion and their link to the central nervous system and states of arousal. I will synthesize this information to support the idea that while introversion and extraversion are on some level linked to states of arousal, Eysenck’s arousal hypothesis is not alone sufficient to explain the biological differences between introverted and extraverted individuals and their behaviors as such.
The purpose of this research report is to investigate the personality of Beyoncé Knowles in terms of humanistic and trait conceptions of personality.
This helps clarify the needs and possible issues of certain personality types with certain area of their lives. Geen’s (1984) study on auditory stimulation in extraverts and introverts shows that introverts are more aroused when exposed to same level of noise heard during task. Which confirms Eysenck’s theory and indicates that extraverts are more likely change negatively in their performance with ether a higher or lower change in auditory stimulation from their preferred level of stimulation. The introverts will only worsen their performance when exposed to higher stimulation.
There has yet to be any determining evidence defines the characteristics of extraversion. The experimenters in this particular experiment have hypothesized that the facets of extraversion are somehow linked by reward sensitivity. This hypothesis was also tested against a model in which they are linked by sociability. There has been much work on this topic in the past, beginning with the works of Jung and James in the early 20th century—to the work of Watson and Clark in 1997. And even after a century of study, they are still unable to truly define the characteristics of the extraversion dimension of personality. In the many attempts to define extraversion, Watson and Clark have defined six basic facets of the personality trait. These are: venturesome, affiliation, positive affectivity, energy, ascendance, and ambition. Researchers Depue and Collins, in 1999, also offered a more succinct depiction of the characteristics of extraversion, this only having three basic parts. The first being affiliation, the enjoyment and value of close interpersonal bonds, also being warm and affectionate. The second, agency, being socially dominant, enjoying leadership roles, being assertive and exhibitionistic, and having a sense of potency in accomplishing goals. The final facet being impuslivity, but this one has been argued upon whether it should be included at all in the characteristics of extraversion at all.
My break has been magnificently boring, but a much needed boringness. My break has become a routine; everyday, I wake up at 12 pm (yes, I know, it’s quite early for me), and I proceed to the gym for two to three hours, working out and playing basketball. Afterwards, I devote the rest of the day to the goals I set for myself. Recently, I have been working on a new T – shirt design and a new YouTube video. You mentioned what my New Year’s Resolution would be, but as you can tell, I have no need for a Resolution because I prepare goals for everday. I’m not sure if this is applicable to you, but I have been planning for whole weeks at a time in a list form and specifying exactly what needs to be completed every single day. So far, this list has
Introverts make up one-third to one-half of the United States’ population (Goudreau). The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality inventory that was created by C. G. Jung to make the theory of psychological types understandable and useful in people’s lives (cite). It defines introvertedness as being “reflective” or “reserved” (The Myers and Briggs Foundation). Introverts are also known to enjoy their own company and spend time alone, but they are not necessarily anti-social or shy (cite). People who are introverts also tend to be comfortable with long silences and hang out with a few close friends rather than a large group. There ...
Lastly, the findings of trait theory and its components described within the paper will be summarised. Major contributors to the trait theory of personality include three prominent psychologists. Boeree (2006) states that American born psychologist Gordon Allport has been described as the founding father of personality trait theory. Allport’s distinguished career included holding the presidency of the American Psychological Association (APA) and receiving the Gold Medal Award and a Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award from the APA (Carducci, 2009, p. 260). After meeting with Sigmund Freud in 1922 and studying his interpretation of personality, Allport developed the opinion that psychoanalysis was too in-depth while behaviourism was far too shallow in the field of personality psychology.
Since the “Extrovert Ideal” (Cain 23) started introversion has been looked down upon. Typically this has been done by urging people to be more extroverted when trying to be hired for a job. Being extroverted started to be encouraged strongly by parents who want their younglings to succeed in life. To start the process kids go to school. Even at school introversion is deemed a bad habit. Class participation is added as a part of grades, further encouraging people to be extroverted. Nowadays however, the “Extrovert Ideal “ (Cain 23) has been ingrained in society long enough that it is considered right to be an extrovert and introverted people are considered flawed individuals. By raising awareness of introversion people can help solve the misunderstanding of introverts by society. If more people are aware of what introversion is the misunderstandings will gradually fade away. A big help in raising awareness is author Susan
Gordon Allport one of the strongest key figures of trait theory defines trait as the widespread and personalized decisive tendencies, consistent and unwavering modes of individual’s adjustments to his surroundings. According to Allport’s view there are four distinctive trait concepts: cardinal trait, central trait, functional autonomy, and secondary disposition. Cardinal trait indicates the disposition that is persistent and salient in the life of a person that virtually every act is attributable to its influence. Central trait is a nature to behave in a specific way in a variety of situations. Functional autonomy refers to an individual’s motivation that may become independent of its origins; in particular, these motives during adulthood might differ from the
In this society, both introverts and extroverts may feel different as that lack the valued characteristics of the other group. Introverts may be criticized for their lack of social participation as they tend to be over stimulated and overwhelmed when attempting to follow the pace of extroverted peers. Extroverts on the other hand would feel impatient and lonely when energizing situations are not available to them. In conclusion, being an introvert doesn’t make one more inferior than extroverts, both traits are needed in order for a well-balanced society. Regardless of what personality trait you may have, it is important to nurture your own type of personality and adjusting to life as one’s life path should be measured according to your own purpose and values, not external achievements.
What does it mean to be introverted versus extraverted and why does it dictate how an individual perceives the world? Why does popular culture suggest there are an abundance of extraverted individuals living amongst the population? Laurie Helgoe, a psychologist with a Ph. D in psychodynamic psychotherapy and author of Revenge of the Introvert, an article which troves through different aspects of introversion and how they may manipulate the life of a given introverted individual. The introvert is an interesting person, they are one that prefers to stay within themselves and don’t need external stimulation to get they’re brain juices flowing.
Extravert a person concerned more with external reality than inner feeling. I don’t think I feel that I am that type of person. I know I worry about my own inner feelings, and I worry about other persons inner feelings. The analysis mentioned that face-to-face relationships are intense, and that intimate friendships are rare. I feel that this is not me at all. I value my friendships and get very close and sometimes too close that I end up getting hurt with most of my friends and even with my own relatives.