The Introverts and Extroverts: Introduction, Definitions and their nature as per psychology

Who are Introverts?

Introverts get energized by being alone, and their energy is drained as they are around other people. And they tend to be better observers.

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Most people have a misunderstanding that introverts are those who are shy-natured, which is a completely wrong perception. It has very little to do with being an introvert. Shyness and ‘introversion’ are completely unrelated to each other. The introverts choose to be alone as they enjoy thinking, imagining, and exploring their thoughts and feeling inside their brain only.

Introverts are more concerned with the world inside their minds. They often try to avoid social encounters and being in a crowd, as it drains their energy. They need some or more time to ‘recharge’ themselves after being with people, at parties, in traffic, or anywhere else.

When introverts choose to be alone, it should not be considered a sign of depression. It simply means that they either need some time to regain their energy which had been lost while being around people, or they want to be alone to give some time to their thoughts and inner-self.

According to some past surveys, Introverts makeup about 60% of the gifted population but only about 25 to 40% of the general population.

Who are Extroverts?

Extroverts are people just opposite introverts. Extroverts get energized by being around people and are drained when being alone.

Generally, extroverts are friendly by nature and also like outings. They feel boredom when they are alone. Extroverts usually think best when they are speaking what they are thinking. They are social and enjoy the company of friends and people around them.

They can make talks smaller, while introverts often feel it difficult to present small talk while talking with people they do not know.

The researchers state that extroverts make up about 50 to 75 % of the net population.

Things that Extroverts should know about Introverts -

Introverts do not need to be alone as they don’t like anyone’s company, but they need alone time because they need to be alone. One should never take it personally as ignorance.
Introverts are like observers, but it doesn’t mean they are judging someone. (observing is a part of their nature)
If they are sitting quietly while being with a whole group, it doesn’t mean that they are uninterested in the topics being discussed.
If they say they are happy and enjoying, then they are happy and enjoying the moment. It is not generally required in their cases that they will exhibit or show their enjoyment and interest at the physical level.
If we are said to meet or have a conference with several people, we prefer talking over the phone, text or a social network, instead of going face-to-face.
Introverts tend to be very calm and cut off from the outside world. They never fight to hear of the people, though they may have a bad temper if their thoughts are forcibly bent or influenced or if applied a false charge on them.
They do not feel boredom when they are lonely. It is the best time for them to get into a different world of imagination inter-weaved with the real world.
Introverts are capable of showing themselves as Extroverts before people.
They prefer writing instead of speaking to present their thoughts more effectively and clearly.
Introverts prefer quiet for concentration.
They may face trouble while communicating.
They need to understand the exact cause behind doing something.
They need to be asked for their ideas and opinions.
They may know much more than what they reveal or talk about.
They need to think and reflect on their thoughts before talking or doing anything.
They may feel trouble remembering the face and names of people.
They are capable of working well if given little supervision. They don’t like to go out and socialize with people.
They prefer to live inside their room, house etc only.
They work better when they are alone.
They feel most relaxed being quiet and alone.
They may carry a caring nature, though they do not generally reveal it.
They feel jailed when someone else’s thoughts are forced on them.

Things that Introverts should know about Extroverts -

Extroverts do not understand introversion and introverts unless they are explained.
They are unable to read minds and less capable of catching hints.
During a party or function, they may pull you inside the heavy crowd, but sure you may need to sail and float thereby on your own only.
Sometimes, the comment from an Extrovert feels like attacking introverts, though they do not mean it. They only say it for the sake of wellness and betterment.
They are good at making small talk and may be helpful to Introverts to learn this art.
Extroverts prefer energetic, fast and upbeat music to introverts.
They may even put some extra chairs in their home or office, for the sake of attracting more co-workers to come and work together.
Are good in making the communication.
Like to socialize with their friends, colleagues, co-workers and everyone.
They make ideas and thoughts during a discussion or while thinking as they speak.
Are attracted towards other Extroverts.
Speak even when they are thinking.
Extroverts may be defined as ‘social butterflies’.
May lose patience and feel boredom when they are alone or made to work slowly and repetitively.
Extroverts usually produce a lot of words in quantity, though it lacks quality.
Enjoy making phone calls, and socializing.
They like to go with the majority opinion on any topic.

Introvert V/s Extroverts

Extroverts and introverts have a lot of behavioural and mental differences. Some studies have also shown that Introverts and Extroverts were successfully identified and grouped separately by noticing their external behaviour as well as the movement taking place in their brains. It will not be wrong to say that Introverts and Extroverts have different types of brains.

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The setup and wiring of their brains are completely different. In introverts, the front part of their brain is found to be more active, whereas an Extrovert’s brain is found more active in its back part. Extroverts charge in socializing and being around people, whereas, introverts get energised being alone.

Who are found to be happier in their lives among Extroverts and Introverts?

It has not been made much clear yet, but most of the past tests and research show that Extroverts remain happier than Introverts in their lives. However, most of these tests and research are done based on social activities and interaction with the outside world and its people etc.

Which type is found to be the most successful out of Extroverts and Introverts?

Generally, when an introvert comes into interaction with an extrovert, the introvert may see the extrovert as a boss and overbearing, while an extrovert may look at an introvert as a shy-natured person, though shy has little to do with introversion. The main difference between introverts and shy people is that shy people avoid social interaction out of fear, shyness or criticism/rejection phobia, whereas an introvert avoids social interaction just for the sake of being alone.

There have been many examples where Extroverts and Introverts have managed to work better as a team. For example, Steve Jobs(an extrovert), and Steve Wozniak(an introvert) teamed together and founded Apple Inc.

Why are some people Introverted and others Extrovert?

Some past theories have proved that defining the genetic traits of introverts and extroverts depends on the presence and sensitivity of dopamine chemicals in the brain. Dopamine is simply known as a feel-good chemical that is produced by the brain.

The over-sensitivity to dopamine results in introversion, whereas extroversion may be caused due to insensitivity to dopamine in the brain. The over-sensitivity of introverts to dopamine does not mean that they are unable to feel and appreciate excitement. But it does mean that introverts want to withdraw and let the dopamine levels subside before returning to stimulating activity at this time. It is due to the cause that introverts can be easily over-stimulated by the production of too much dopamine.

A few types of research also claim the connection between over-sensitivity to dopamine and anorexia; and the connection between insensitivity to dopamine and obesity.

‘Anorexia’ or ‘Anorexia Nervosa’ is an eating disorder that is characterized by immoderate food restriction an irrational fear of gaining weight, and also a distorted body self-perception. It even involves excessive weight loss mostly in females.

Symptoms of Anorexia nervosa:

Its symptoms may include headaches, weakness, dizziness etc.

'Obesity' is another kind of situation, in which excess fat gets accumulated in the body, to an extent that it may have various adverse effects on health.

But, the over-sensitivity or insensitivity to dopamine has not been said to be exactly Anorexia or Obesity, but only partially related to them.

Introverts, Extroverts, and the Genetics

Past studies have found that the wiring of the brains of introverts and extroverts is different. In other words, the blood flows through different paths in the brains of introverts and extroverts. These dissimilarities appear to be genetic, rather than acquired traits.

A gene named as ‘D4DR gene’ in our DNA affects the neurotransmitter dopamine (or the feel-good chemical produced by the brain), which controls the excitement levels of a person, and is vital for physical activities, appreciation, and motivation. A long D4DR gene results in less sensitivity/insensitivity to dopamine in the brain, whereas a short D4DR gene is responsible for high sensitivity/oversensitivity to dopamine. Hence, a long D4DR gene is responsible for extroversion while a short D4DR gene is for introversion.

Introverts have slower thinking, as compared to Extroverts

Introverts are found to be slow thinkers as they have slower memory recalling than extroverts. The brain of an Introvert takes a longer path in the thinking process. But, in extroverts’ brains, this path is much shorter, which makes them reach it more quickly than introverts.