4 Unpopular Opinions on Introverts and Extroverts.
From an Introvert’s perspective
Yeah, right extroverts gain energy after a social interaction and introverts drain energy after the same.
But is that it?
Are there any other differences between the two kinds of people?
Let’s find out.
There are.
But first, let’s look at the topic from a technical point of view.
Psychology literature on the Big Five Personality model suggests that the trait extraversion could be further separated into two broad subcategories that are — first, enthusiasm, and secondly, assertiveness.
These words, “enthusiasm” and “assertiveness” are pretty much self-descriptive but it’s not quite obvious to understand how they pragmatically manifest.
To make it a little easier here are 4 unpopular opinions about extraversion and the opposite.
1. Introverts are less expressive
What’s unpopular about this?
It’s not tough to figure out that extroverts talk more than introverts do but let me ask you this —
Can we restrict expression just to language and words?
Not precisely.
Introverts do talk lesser than extroverts but they also express lesser in terms of their behavior.
What is that supposed to mean?
Take this for an example —
There are 2 friends that are talented dancers (dancing being a mode of expression).
One of the two friends is an introvert and second is an extrovert.
Which one do you think is more willing to express their skill?
The extroverted person. This is because of the sub trait that we discussed above, assertiveness.
There could be tons of reasons why the introverted person doesn’t like to express or perform.
Do they enjoy dancing? Absolutely yes.
But they just don't want to spend energy trying to perform or express it for others.
Note that we are not questioning the correctness of this behavior since it is a whole different topic and is closely contextual.
Introverts would much rather enjoy expressing their art to themselves.
They write and sing to themselves.
They too, like to express but they don’t usually appreciate people around when they’re doing it.
And on the other hand, extroverts take pleasure in expressing themselves when people are watching.
This tendency doesn't particularly mean they’re hungry for attention, they just like to extend the expression to more humans.
Perhaps this is also why extroverts always have an upper hand in performing arts.
An introvert would enjoy reading a story to themselves but an extrovert would rather love to express it in some form of art.
That’s the kind of difference we’re talking about here.
2. But introverts do like to hold conversations
Raising a toast at a ceremony could be difficult for an introvert but expressing how they feel to a single individual at a time seems doable.
This is just an extension of the above-mentioned point regarding expression.
Introverts too like to hold conversations, they too like to share their interests, and knowledge, and skills but the numbers make all the difference.
Notice this in a social situation —
Even if an entire group shares a common interest, an introverted person is less likely to step up and deliver an opinion.
Whereas they would love to express it to a person sitting right next to them.
3. Introverts do not like people? Wrong.
Let’s clear this up. The behavior that predicts caring for people falls into a totally different domain.
Some introverts like people around them, some don't.
The quality of relationships is not at all determined by the trait introversion.
Instead, this trait strictly predicts the number of relationships they want to be involved in. Only the quantity.
Introverts usually like fewer people around them and they are surely poor at showing how much do they care but that doesn't mean they don't.
4. Life is a party only for extroverts. Nope.
It actually depends on how do you define fun. If fun is measured by excitability then yes, extroverts are more likely to feel the that particular emotions more often than others.
Introverts can work on this thing too but it would be a lot of sweating along the way.
However, if we rethink and redefine what is fun, things could change.
In very simple words, extroverts are more often happy and excited about simple things in life but that doesn't mean introverts are sad throughout their lives.
The very trait that predicts susceptibility to negative emotions depends upon a different trait (neuroticism).
Introverts might not be the vibe creators at parties but they’re definitely not the ones that ruin it.
They’re those low-key chillers in the corner at a social gathering who usually talk to people sitting next to them.
Again, we’re not questioning the correctness, just laying out the scenario.
The frequency and intensity of experiencing positive emotions are predicted by extraversion but it doesn’t say anything about negative emotions.
