I have had to engage in a substantial amount of research to find valid, unbiased definitions about both personality types. In Psychology Today, I found an article by Dan Buettner that described both pretty well.
"Two major personality types are extroverts and introverts. These types are known to have unique ways of feeling re-energized and motivated. They each have characteristic ways of interacting with the world and processing information."
In this article, Mr. Buettner describes extroverts as people who "learn by doing and enjoy talking through ideas and problems." "These 'social butterflies' thrive under social stimulation." He describes introverts as people who "get their energy from having alone time or in small groups of people, but may get overwhelmed in new situations or in large groups of people. They prefer to focus on one task at a time and observe a situation before jumping in." In another Psychology Today article, Irene S. Levine simplifies this a bit more, saying that "the bottom-line difference between introverts and extroverts is that social interactions are energizing to extroverts, but draining for introverts."
In the past couple of years, I have heard quite a lot about the differences between introverts and extroverts. Much of what I have heard has been complaints about extroverts being outspoken, pushy, overly talkative, and opinionated. Videos have been sent around that have accused extroverts of not being observant, jumping in without thinking of the consequences, shallow minded, etc. These same sources insist that introverts are more empathic, sensitive, more observant, and better listeners than extroverts. A video I watched recently was a TED talk on this very subject, in which Susan Cain stated:
SO, with all of that said, I have to admit that these cause me to feel pretty defensive. Why is it that, because I am energized by being around other people and my mood sinks when I am alone too long, I am a person who is "less-than"? Why do we feel the need to put people down who are different than us in order to lift ourselves up? Why does it have to be better to be one way or the other? I have a Master's degree and am a mental health professional, a therapist and crisis specialist. My hobbies include reading and I earned a 3.97 GPA in graduate school. I am frequently told that I score quite highly in the areas of empathy and ability to listen to others. I enjoy people watching. I am quite observant, often the first one to notice if someone is feeling troubled or is struggling. I will grant you the lack of creativity part, however I am unable to speak for the numerous other extroverts in the world. What I do know is that God created each of us, introverts and extroverts alike, in His image.
As we each seek explanations for how and why we behave, for why our personalities are formed the way they are, I caution that we should not use the personalities and characters of others as stepping stones. Owning our behaviors, our personalities, our character is admirable. Putting another person down for behaving differently and having alternate skills, talents, gifts only succeeds in creating a win/lose scenario.
In the past couple of years, I have heard quite a lot about the differences between introverts and extroverts. Much of what I have heard has been complaints about extroverts being outspoken, pushy, overly talkative, and opinionated. Videos have been sent around that have accused extroverts of not being observant, jumping in without thinking of the consequences, shallow minded, etc. These same sources insist that introverts are more empathic, sensitive, more observant, and better listeners than extroverts. A video I watched recently was a TED talk on this very subject, in which Susan Cain stated:
"The vast majority of teachers reports believing that the ideal student is an extrovert as opposed to an introvert, even though introverts actually get better grades and are more knowledgeable, according to research."She went on to say that introverts are better leaders because extroverts interfere with the creative process. She also said that when psychologists look at the lives of many creative people, they find that the most creative people are introverts because they create in solitude.
SO, with all of that said, I have to admit that these cause me to feel pretty defensive. Why is it that, because I am energized by being around other people and my mood sinks when I am alone too long, I am a person who is "less-than"? Why do we feel the need to put people down who are different than us in order to lift ourselves up? Why does it have to be better to be one way or the other? I have a Master's degree and am a mental health professional, a therapist and crisis specialist. My hobbies include reading and I earned a 3.97 GPA in graduate school. I am frequently told that I score quite highly in the areas of empathy and ability to listen to others. I enjoy people watching. I am quite observant, often the first one to notice if someone is feeling troubled or is struggling. I will grant you the lack of creativity part, however I am unable to speak for the numerous other extroverts in the world. What I do know is that God created each of us, introverts and extroverts alike, in His image.
"So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them." ~ Genesis 1:27
"He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them 'Mankind' when they were created." ~ Genesis 5:2
"For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb." ~ Psalm 139:13
As we each seek explanations for how and why we behave, for why our personalities are formed the way they are, I caution that we should not use the personalities and characters of others as stepping stones. Owning our behaviors, our personalities, our character is admirable. Putting another person down for behaving differently and having alternate skills, talents, gifts only succeeds in creating a win/lose scenario.
