MEPX
Chapter 6 of 10All chapters
  1. 1What personality means
  2. 2The five factor model
  3. 3Type tests
  4. 4Stability and change
  5. 5Where it goes wrong
  6. 6Introversion and extraversion
  7. 7The darker traits
  8. 8Measuring personality
  9. 9Culture and context
  10. 10Using it sensibly

Chapter 6 of 10

Introversion and extraversion

The most misused pair.

What it means

Extraversion is about seeking stimulation and reward from the social world. Introversion is not shyness, social anxiety or dislike of people.

  • Shyness is fear of judgement and sits closer to neuroticism.
  • Most people are somewhere in the middle rather than at either end.

Practical implications

Environments differ in how much social stimulation they impose. Knowing your own tolerance is useful; using it to decline everything social is a label doing work it cannot support.