In the last few years alone, countless online articles have been devoted to enumerating Introvert (I) – Extravert (E) differences. From these we’ve learned that Extraverts tend to be more social and outgoing, while Introverts are more reserved and require time alone to reflect and recharge.
To be sure, these sketches tell an important part of the story, but they often omit some critical details.
In this post, we’ll fill in some of the gaps, providing a clearer picture of Introvert – Extravert differences in personality, outlook, motivation, etc. We’ll also consider what these types might learn from other, including the pros and cons of Extraverted optimism vis-à-vis Introverted cautiousness and realism.
Extraverts: Personality, Motivation & Outlook
According to Colin DeYoung, a renowned Big Five personality researcher, one of Extraverts’ hallmark characteristics is their reward-orientation. This is true in two respects.
First, Extraverts are attuned to and motivated by anticipated rewards. This desire for rewards—sometimes summarized as “wanting”—compels them to proactive pursuit. This propensity to go after what they want, be it social status or influential positions, is sometimes called assertiveness in Big Five research.
Pursuing anticipating rewards has an energizing effect, one which is mediated largely by the neurotransmitter dopamine—also known to play a key role in Big Five Openness to Experience. Thus, part of Extraverted behavior can be understood as a quest for dopaminergic bliss.
Not only are Extraverts fueled by anticipating rewards, but also by enjoying them, or what researchers have dubbed “liking.” Both “wanting” and “liking” can be seen as fueling their assertive, outgoing behavior. Although males tend to be more motivated by anticipation and females by enjoyment, Extraverts are typically higher in both. Studies have shown that wanting and liking are linked to positive affect, including the sense of being engaged and energized.
Optimism is another big piece of the Extraverted puzzle. In many respects, it’s what allows Extraverts to consistently believe in themselves and the value of their pursuits. Without this optimistic foundation, it’d be much easier for Extraverts to lose faith and give up. Optimism has also been shown to boost creativity, making it particularly valuable for creatively inclined Extraverts. We’ll take a closer look at the pros and cons of optimism later in this post, but for now, let’s shift our gaze to Introverts.
A Closer Look at Introverts
In the process of writing my book, My True Type, I was impressed by Jerome Kagan’s work on temperament in infants and children, particularly its implications for understanding the biological roots of Introversion.
Kagan identified two foundational and overlapping features of the Introverted temperament—high reactivity and behavioral inhibition—both of which are present at birth and commonly persist into adulthood.
Reactivity might be viewed as more physiological, undergirded by a highly sensitive nervous system. Reactive children often startle easily, are more sensitive to noise and other external stimuli, have difficulty falling asleep, exhibit a lower pain threshold, etc. They can also take longer to settle down once they’re upset. “Fussy” kids commonly exhibit these characteristics, prompting parents to go out of their way to keep them calm and comfortable.
Kagan also noticed that some children were more behaviorally inhibited than others, including:
- Reluctance to spontaneously engage with unfamiliar children
- Absence of spontaneous smiles toward strangers
- Needing more time to relax in new situations
- Cautious behaviors
- Unusual fears and phobias
- A tendency to watch rather than participate in play (i.e., “onlooker behavior”)
While inhibition is more of a behavioral trait and reactivity more physiological, it’s easy to see how they might overlap. For reactive children, the world is a rather scary place, as every new situation or stimulus has the potential to be unsettling. Hence, employing inhibitory behaviors in hopes of reducing such disturbances seems entirely reasonable. And according to Kagan, it’s not unusual for these dispositions to persist into adulthood.
Although there are plenty of exceptions at the individual level, research consistently shows correlations between Introversion and Big Five Neuroticism. Namely, Introverts are more likely to report negative affect—depression, anxiety, self-consciousness, etc.—as well as greater volatility in their moods and emotions. In many respects, this isn’t surprising, especially for “highly sensitive persons” (HSPs), who we might think of as the adult version of Kagan’s reactive temperament.
Since the word “neurotic” is often used pejoratively, many Introverts, for good reason, don’t exactly love the label. Many prefer the HSP descriptor, which has a more neutral connotation. Either way, Introverts must find ways of effectively navigating a world which doesn’t feel entirely hospitable to them.
In light of Kagan’s research, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to suggest that an Introverted approach to life, especially in its early stages, is oriented toward threat reduction and self-preservation. Researchers sometimes call it an “avoidance” strategy, one aimed at avoiding pain, frustration, or punishment. DeYoung offers this rather unflattering portrait of Introverts:
They are less engaged, motivated, and energized by the possibilities for reward that surround them. Hence, they talk less, are less driven, and experience less enthusiasm. They may also find levels of stimulation that are rewarding and energizing for Extraverts annoying or tiring (or even overwhelming).
Inhibited / avoidance behavior often gets a bad rap, especially from the Extraverted vantage point. But viewed evolutionarily, the Introvert’s cautious, shelter-in-place approach has had its utility, serving as a veritable hedge against the risky ventures of Extraverts. Even today, Introverted cautiousness stands as an important counterbalance to Extraverted exuberance in nearly every aspect of life.
Finally, in my recent post—Are Introverts More Neurotic?—I detailed how Introverts often capitalize on their alone time by wrestling with ideas, reconciling difficult emotions or experiences, and gaining insight for self-improvement. So while they may appear avoidant from without, they are more intrepid in their inner life, confronting concerns that Extraverts may be “too busy” to address. One might even argue that Introverts are also reward seekers, but are more inclined to do so inwardly. Additionally, I like to think of Introverts as “doing more with less.” They may own less stuff and have fewer outer adventures, but they nonetheless find ways of making their lives rich and meaningful.
Extraverted Optimism vs. Introverted Realism
Although sometimes derided as killjoys or pessimists, Introverts are probably better viewed as realists. Unlike their Extraverted counterparts, they don’t approach themselves or the world with unalloyed optimism. Their realism also permeates their political views and may inspire them to condemn all sorts of excess (e.g., spending, consumption, growth, etc.). Seeing unchecked growth as unsustainable, even metastatic, they understand the need to rein things in both personally and collectively.
An optimistic outlook typically involves downplaying potential risks or counterviews for the sake of perpetuating certain hopes or ideals. If taken too far, it can border on delusional, as exemplified by tone-deaf singers who somehow manage to maintain the belief that they’re undiscovered superstars. In such cases, it’s clear that what’s needed isn’t more optimism, but a reality check.
Introverted realism seems particularly important at the collective level. Indeed, it may be our only hope for not driving ourselves off a planetary cliff. At the individual level, however, research continues to demonstrate the benefits of healthy optimism, including higher levels of self-reported happiness and creativity. So as is true of most dichotomies, the sweet spot lies somewhere in the middle. For Extraverts, the path to grow may entail more realism and moderation in their choices. Introverts, by contrast, may be wise to consider how they can harness the benefits of optimism while keeping at least one foot planted in reality. Not only might more optimism make Introverts a little happier, but also more resilient and self-confident. If realism brings knowledge and optimism empowerment, then both are essential to a well-lived life.
Learn more about Introverted and Extraverted personalities in our four books and online course:
Finding Your Path as an INFP, INTP, ENFP or ENTP
Read More:
Why Introverts Often Feel Like a Fraud or Impostor
Anxiety & Self-Awareness: How Introverts & Extraverts Differ
As says
This is very interesting – I’ve had a personal theory that a lot of introverts are traumatized. This fits really well with the assumption that introverts have a more responsive nervous system. So this nervous system could be due to biological factors (you are born with it) and cultural (upbringing) – and also the fact that traumas can be biologically inherited from your ancestors.
So, there might be a chance that introverts are this way due to experienced traumas or inherited trauma that are passed from generation to generation (in this case we both have the biological inheritance and the social inheritance).
Very, very interesting.
A.J. Drenth says
Fascinating thoughts. I think you might be onto something. Many of us have been trained to think in terms of two main categories – “nature” (i.e., biology) and “nurture” (i.e., environment). But there’s actually a third category that sort of splits the difference between the two: epigenetics. I’m sympathetic to the idea of intergenerational trauma, among other things, being transmitted epigenetically, as seems to be the case, e.g., with descendants of Holocaust survivors. This makes it difficult to unravel what’s genetic (genetic code) and what’s epigenetic (how those genes are being expressed). It may be that what we’re calling “sensitivity” and in turn, Introversion, has more to do with epigenetic factors than we realize.
Kat says
I’m not gonna lie, it was a little disheartening to read all those paragraphs about how afraid and anxious introverts are after the passage about how outgoing and optimistic extroverts are. Speaking as an introvert with anxiety, it’s kind of disappointing to read things that imply our anxiety is set in stone forever. Kind of wish there was more stuff about the good introverts do, too, or the things they overcome. Not that this passage doesn’t acknowledge it, but I guess I’m still not convinced — feels like extroverts are getting the sweeter deal in life sometimes! Someone convince me otherwise, please. :)
A.J. Drenth says
Hi Kat,
I’m sorry if the post made you feel disheartened. I think it’s often the case the Extraverts have an easier go of things early in life, but Introverts have their own strengths and skills they can learn to leverage to their benefit. Among these is the capacity for sustained reflection which can yield insights about themselves and how they might live better. While anxiety can certainly prove challenging for sensitive Introverts, the brain is remarkably plastic and can be gradually recalibrated through various therapeutic practices like meditation. If Introverts can harness their capacity for self-discipline and self-investment, they too can start feeling empowered and energetic toward life. Granted, some Introverts have more cards stacked against them than others, but I still see plenty of reason for hope (must be my Introverted optimism:)).
Elaine Ness says
Although I repeatedly ‘test’ as introverted (INXJ) I am not so sure that feels accurate. I am not an anxious person, nor by preference do I have an inordinate need to spend time alone. I feel at ease with myself. Yes, I do need rumination time to fully absorb happenings but anytime I can be around even-keeled, optimistic people with something of substance to talk about, I am in my element. A give-and-take discussion is energizing and I fully participate by active listening and speaking.
I want to be away from people when the conversation consists of chatty small talk. I am very happy being alone and thinking a lot, plus writing down my thoughts, plans, goals, ambitions, and desires. So am I actually an extrovert or an even blend of both extrovert and introvert (or is that also true of a lot of people)?
I enjoy your articles, which require me to mull a lot. Thanks for writing them.
Rebecca says
I read this post a couple days ago and have been thinking about it since. I was thinking about the whole thing of extroverts as optimists vs introverts as realists. I could indeed see it in my own life. The patterns that accompanied my own introversion vs those of my extraverted family members and friends.
The two thoughts that I wondered about were:
1) In Dario Nardi’s book ” Neuroscience of Personality”, when he talked about the two frontal lobe regions Fp1 and Fp2, the first “region acts as a gatekeeper to screen out negative information that might distract us emotionally.” The second “region admits negative input and mutes our emotional reponses so we can reflect on the input.” p.34
This made me wonder if extroverts were more prone to using Fp1, and introverts Fp2?
2) I also thought about how I actually know a number of very extroverted people who are in one way outwardly optimistic and maybe a bit more comfortable with risk/ reward perusal, but at the same time often struggle with depression and anxiety. I guess even someone like Robin Williams would be an example. So I’m not sure what that says about dopamine and all that? Would maybe their dominant function be giving them the optimistic persona outwardly, and then their second function being introverted in nature allowing that introspection/ depressive tendency to coexist more privately?
3) Ok, I guess I had a third thought as well. The word realist always brings to mind an SJ type for me ( introvert or extravert), and I’m trying to imagine how it applies in the same way to INFP, ISFP, or INFJ? I think I can see a little more how the logic part would equate with the T types… . Maybe I’m mixing up my perception of realism being a counter to idealism rather than caution equating with it?
Thanks for the thought inducing post.
johan björkman says
Very interesting post. It makes a lot of sense that many introverts have at least some of the traits asosciated with HSP. I always get INFP on tests and i can totally relate to the HSP thing, i kinda hate when things are too intense or chaotic like crowded places, loud noises, strong lights etc (unless it´s a rock concert lol) and also overly stressful work can be extremely draining.