Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist, famously for his book Psychological types (1921) was first to classify extraversion and introversion. Extraversion is being outgoing, talkative and seeking energy from the external environment. Comparatively, introverts acquire energy from the internal workings of their mind. Hans Eysenck (1967) expanded these behavioural differences and associated them with ascending reticular activation system (ARAS), ascending sensory pathways responsible for connecting the brain stem to the cortex. Therefore, extroverts exhibit increased activity in the corticoreticular loop compared to introverts. Rammsayer (1998) examined the biological effects of pharmacologically inducing dopamine (D2) receptors on reaction time (RT). Introverts were more susceptible to D2 receptor activity than extroverts. This study is one example of biological differences exhibited between extroverts and introverts. However, is anyone really considered a true extrovert or introvert?
“There is no such thing as a pure introvert or extrovert. Such a person would be in the lunatic asylum.” — C.G Jung
Differences between introverts and extroverts
As introverts acquire energy from the internal workings of their mind, they usually have fewer friends in a smaller circle of relationships. Instead of seeking external validation, they are content drawing energy from their internal mental state. Introverts are known for becoming overwhelmed in social gatherings and are more likely to focus on one activity compared to extroverts.
“The second difference between the introvert and the extrovert is how they experience external stimulation. Extroverts like to experience a lot, and introverts like to know a lot about what they experience.” ― Marti Olsen Laney
Studies indicate there are differences in brain activity upon comparing extroverts with introverts.
The figure above indicates that purple regions exhibit a stronger correlation with extroversion, they are sensitive to rewarding and positive stimuli. For example, extroverts exhibit stronger responses during reward-tasks based on decision making in these regions compared to introverts. Connectome research based on the principles of the human connectome project has gone even further to establish an extrovert fingerprint.
As shown in the above figure, these are brain networks by measuring the hurst component of nine-different resting-state networks. Studies indicated robust correlation analysis with the DNM (default mode network), visual and right frontoparietal networks. Interestingly, the DMN plays an active role in thinking about oneself, remembering the past and planning. Therefore, extroverts exhibit stronger activity in these areas and are better with incoming information. Comparatively, lower extraversion scores are concerned with long memory, associated with influencing their future responses. However, I think it’s important to remember that almost always introverts and extroverts are assigned to research groups based on self-reported assessments of exhibited behavioural traits.
Introvert, Extrovert or Ambivert?
In the last couple of years, labelling oneself as an introvert has become popular based on the resurgence of personality typology and books expressing the advantages of being introverted. The question is, are you an introvert or are you just living like an understimulated extrovert? Regardless, many still debate that ambiversion, another label, fits the introvert who likes to be an extrovert paradigm. So, I ask is ambiversion real when an introvert can be just as much of extrovert and vice versa. The only difference is that an introvert could not act or mask as an extrovert without feeling exhausted over time and vice versa. If we assume that MBTI (Myers-Briggs) personality typology is without fault for distinguishing 16 different personality types, then differences can be explained by understanding MBTI function axes.
Introverted Intuition (Ni) <<->> Extroverted Sensing (Se)
Extroverted Intuition (Ne) <<->> Introverted Sensing (Si)
Introverted Thinking (Ti) <<->> Extroverted Feeling (Fe)
Extroverted Thinking (Te) <<->> Introverted Feeling (Fi)
For example, an ENTP (Ne, Ti, Fe, Si) is an extrovert based on the perceiving function Ne which is more concerned with the metaphysical. Ne cares about the hidden patterns, by being on an axis with Si, Ne can discern possibilities associated with past experiences. However, Ne is not a function that makes this user overly extroverted because it’s concerned with external metaphysical possibilities. Unlike Se, predominant for the ESTP (Se, Ti, Fe, Ni), its concerned with external experiences. ESTPs stereotypically come across as highly extroverted particularly in their younger years because of they are seeking reality-based experiences, unlike the ENTP.
Another example is the INFJ (Ni, Fe, Ti, Se) considered as a rare introverted personality. However, INFJs can come across as very extroverted because they interact with their extroverted function (Fe). Fe is mainly concerned with how others value them, and a healthy INFJ will want to be of value to others.
These are a few examples, of how MBTI types can appear as ambiverts but the question is, do ambiverts exist or is it just a manifestation of these functions?
Who cares if we mislabel ourselves?
We are ultimately limiting our capacity to live a meaningful life by assigning incorrect labels. It doesn’t help that there are different definitions scattered across the internet. I think the mislabelling causes the miscommunication we see in society, also mentioned by Susan Cain.
“There’s zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas” — Susan Cain
Living life as an introvert when you need energy from an external source does one thing, it harms you. One of the reasons I have become very interested in MBTI typology is because of the power it has when learning to understand your behaviours. For example, ESFPs with inferior Ni usually makes rash, impulsive decisions based on a self-belief system of being intuitive. This ESFP will continue to make these decisions unless they learn to control and develop Ni. However, if the ESFP ‘thinks’ of themselves as an INFJ, then they assume they don’t need to develop Ni, but instead, they must develop Se. I have seen this example in a few upcoming YouTubers who regularly discuss MBTI topics, it contributes to a harmful spread of information.
“Put away the labels and respect our differences”
What can an ESFP learn from an INFJ and vice versa? We can learn from one another if we shift away from our innate cognitive biases. Rather than pretending to be an introvert, accept your greatness as an extrovert. The same applies for introverts, be who you were meant to be in this life. Understanding yourself puts you ahead of the crowd because you ultimately accept both the positives and negatives of other people. Introverts, speak freely and express your ideas. Extroverts, learn to think and listen.
References
Eysenck, H. (1967). The Biological Basis of Personality. Springfield: Thomas.
Jung, C. G. (1921). Psychological types. The collected works of CG Jung, Vol. 6 Bollingen Series XX.
Laney, M. (2002). The introvert advantage: How Quiet People Can Thrive in an Extrovert World. New York: Workman Pub.
Lei, X., Yang, T. and Wu, T. (2015). Functional neuroimaging of extraversion-introversion. Neuroscience Bulletin, 31(6), pp.663–675.
Rammsayer, T. (1998). Extraversion and dopamine: Individual differences in response to changes in dopaminergic activity as a possible biological basis of extraversion. European Psychologist, 3(1), pp.37–50.
