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ABSTRACT:
Strengths of Introvert and Extrovert
Personality Types
Introversion and extroversion are common ways of defining personality types that describe how individuals
derive their energy, process information, and respond to stimulation. Introverts are known for gaining
energy from spending time alone, while extroverts get energy from being around other people. Both
personality types bring important skills and contributions to the world. Parents can discover their own, and
their children’s personality types in order to find ways nurture their families’ strengths and resiliency.
KEY TERMS: Introversion, Extroversion, Personality Types, Personal Strengths
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO KNOW?
Discovering more about our personality types can be a rewarding
experience. When we have a better understanding of what makes us
“tick”, we can make choices that positively impact our lives. It is
especially important for families to understand each other’s personality
types. By understanding the psychological basis for others’ behaviour,
everyone can do their part to avoid conflict and nurture each other’s
unique strengths and contributions.
Everyone shines, given the right
lighting. For some, it’s a Broadway
spotlight, for others, a lamp lit
desk.
(Cain, 2011)
WHAT DOES RESEARCH SAY ABOUT THIS?
History of concept
Carl Jung, one of the earliest pioneers in the field of psychology, is credited for developing theories of personality
that popularized the terms ‘introversion’ and ‘extroversion’ (Jung, 1976). In this theory, Jung suggested that every
person is born with an innate temperament that makes us either more introverted or more extroverted (Jung,
1976). As fields of psychology and neurobiology have progressed, researchers have discovered much more about
these personality types and their origins.
It’s Not Just About Shyness or Sociability
Many people mistakenly assume that all introverts are just shy, and extroverts are more talkative and better at
socializing. This may be how it appears from the outside, but introversion and extroversion is about more than that.
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The biggest distinction between these personality types is about how each one derives energy. Introverts
are characterized as people who gain energy from spending time on their own, away from other people.
Extroverts are the type of people who gain energy from being around others.
More about Introverts
Introverts are often characterized by their capacity for inward reflection and a need to understand the
world before they experience it (Tieger & Barron-Tieger, 1995). They may be easily overstimulated by new
ideas and unfamiliar situations. Introverts need time to take in new information and compare it to internal
experiences, in order to understand it and respond to it (Tieger & Barron-Tieger, 1995).
This is why introverts seek time away from the outside world, in order to process and reflect on new
information (Laney, 2001). In group situations, such as during a classroom discussion or at an office
meeting, introverts may appear reluctant to share their ideas, but this may be because they need to take
time away from the group to fully develop these ideas first (Cain, 2012). Introverts can be capable of
profound insights when they are afforded the time and space to think things through.
To the rest of the world, introverts may appear shy or anti-social, but they are just social in different ways
(Laney, 2001). They often prefer to spend time is smaller groups, or one-on-one, and usually like to get to
know new people more slowly (Tieger & Barron-Tieger, 1995).
More about Extroverts
If introverts focus their energy and attention inward, extroverts focus it outward. They crave the
stimulation they get from engaging with the world outside themselves. In contrast to introverts, extroverts
“need to experience the world to understand it; they tend to like a lot of activity” (Tieger & Barron-Tieger,
1995, p.14).
Extroverts tend to appear much more social because they are eager for the stimulation that comes from
meeting new people. They also tend to think and talk at the same time, and formulate their ideas best by
saying them out loud (Laney, 2001). Because of these qualities, extroverts often meet new people easily
and often do well in social situations.
In discussing one of the defining qualities of extroverts, Tieger and Barron-Teiger said: “Many extraverts
find that their preference helps them at work because they generally can think quickly on their feet. When
asked a question, they just start talking. Eventually they come up with an answer, and usually they can
persuade others that it makes sense” (1995, p.15).
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It All Starts in the Brain
Scientists are still working to figure out why some people are more introverted and some are born
extroverted. Brain imaging technology has allowed researchers to look at how introverts’ and extroverts’
brains process information differently (Johnson et al., 1999). This technique has revealed that blood flow
in the brains of introverts is increased in the parts of the brain associated with memory and problem
solving processes (Johnson et al., 1999). Because of this increased blood flow to other parts of the brain, it
takes the brain longer to complete a thought. This had been thought to be why introverts may take more
time to process information, but often have more reflective and analytical responses (Laney, 2001).
In extroverts, blood takes a shorter path, so individuals respond to stimuli much quicker (Johnson et al.,
1999). Thoughts are processed much faster, which is likely why extroverts are so often described as being
“quick on their feet” (Laney, 2001).
Studies such as this also tell us that the processes that define introversion and extroversion are partially
based on how individual brains function (Johnson et al., 1999). This may help explain why the personality
types we exhibit are often consistent across the entire course of our lives.
Not so Cut and Dry
You may be reading these descriptions of introverts and extroverts and thinking that elements of both
types seem to apply to you or someone you know. The truth is few people are 100% introverted or 100%
extroverted. Although most of us lean closer to one side than the other, it is common to have traits from
both types. Laney (2001) states, “It is important to remember that few [people] are extreme extroverts or
introverts, and that sometimes introverts act extroverted and vice versa” (p.131)
Our World Needs Diversity
Western culture has been criticized for its glorification of extroverted qualities, such as through the way
we value confidence, decisiveness, and bold leadership styles (Laney, 2001). This has led to the assertion
that many children who grow up introverted are imbued with the sense that there must be something
wrong with them, since these traits do not come naturally (Cain, 2012). This has been evidenced by
studies that show that many introverts report that they would prefer their ideal self to be extroverted
(Laney, 2001).
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WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES?
You may have always wondered why your child appears withdrawn around his peers, seems reluctant to join in new
activities, and chooses to spend so much time alone in his room. On the other hand, you may find your child never
stops talking, introduces herself to strangers, gets bored easily, and is always seeking out new experiences. Both
parents and children can benefit greatly by understanding their own personality types and making choices that
honour their strengths and limitations.
Every child is unique, each one with his or her own set of strengths and abilities. Because of the special role parents
play in the lives of their children, parents have a great capacity for helping children discover their personal
strengths. By honoring your children’s individual personality types and helping them understand their own nature,
you can empower children to make choices that help them to thrive. Laney (2001) tells us that helping children
discover their own unique strengths, and finding ways to overcome their limitations “is the greatest support you can
give them to face the natural struggles of growing up” (p.153).
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
Parents have a great capacity for nurturing the strengths in their children, whether the child shows signs
of being introverted, extroverted, or a little bit of both. Take a look at these tips to get some ideas for
things you can do to help bring out the best in your child.
Tips for Raising an Introvert
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Make sure your child has private time built into his/her daily routines.
Encourage your child to take breaks from highly stimulating and group activities if he/she
feels he/she is getting overwhelmed.
When you sense your child is in a bad mood, help him/her determine if this may be because
he/she has had too much stimulation.
Talk with your child about his/her need to take breaks to help him/her understand why this
helps recharge his/her batteries.
Ensure your child has his/her own physical space for privacy.
Respect your child’s need for personal space and don’t take it personally when he/she
expresses needing to be alone.
If you know personal space will be limited (such as on long road trips) make a game plan
ahead of time such as bringing head phones for your child to listen to and books to look at
alone.
Be patient when your child takes time making a decision or responding to a question.
(Laney, 2001)
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Tips for Raising an Extrovert
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Allow your extroverted child opportunities to talk aloud, tells stories, and share his/her feelings.
Help your child develop relationships outside of your family so he/she has lots of people to talk
to.
Help your extrovert discover his/her own skills and interest so he/she doesn’t always get caught
up in going along with what others are doing.
Extroverted children respond especially well to positive feedback; a few small positive words will
go a long way.
Because extroverted children are less reflective than introverted ones, they may need help
labelling their emotions; help your child take time to think about how he/she is feeling and help
him/her find words to describe these emotions.
When your child just needs to process ideas out loud, be there to listen.
Even your extroverted child can benefit from learning to slow down so help him/her schedule
quiet time every once and a while.
HOW DOES THIS CONNECT TO START SMART STAY SAFE?
Start Smart Stay Safe (S4) is a strengths-based educational resource utilized by police officers, teachers,
and schools in building resiliency and capacity in children and their families. Through this strengths-based
lens, S4 aims to support children and families in developing skills to overcome life’s challenges, through
discovering their own unique strengths and capacities. By understanding the individual strengths that we
each bring to the world, we can make choices that contribute to a sense of well-being in ourselves and
others.
When children have a greater self-awareness about their own personality, they can learn to plan ahead and
make healthy choices to help them cope they feel stressed or overwhelmed. These are important skills for
children to develop as they become more independent so that they can make responsible choices during
times of stress or uncertainty.
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KEY TERMS:
Introversion: A personality type in which the individual is energized by spending time alone. Introverted
individuals often need time to process information inwardly before responding, act cautiously, and avoid
crowds.
Extroversion: A personality type in which the individual is energized by being with other people. Extroverts
often like to be the centre of attention, think out loud, and enjoy meeting new people.
Personality Types: Categories of various personality traits that often appear together. Many different
personality types have been proposed by different theories over the years; two of these are “introverted
personality type” and “extroverted personality type”.
Personal Strengths: Our unique sets of skills and abilities that we use in our everyday lives. By identifying
these strengths, we can use them to make choices that contribute to well-being in ourselves and others.
“Do our children use their gifts and their abilities constructively or destructively? The world would be a better
place if every child grew up with integrity, curiosity, compassion, the ability to love and be loved, and the
capacity to develop their inner strengths” (Laney, 2001, p.158).
Other Tips
If you find that you have some children who are introverted and some that are
extroverted it may be hard to make sure everyone’s voice is heard. An example of a
way you might support your family here could be by making sure that each person in
the family has a turn to talk at dinner (Laney, 2001). This gives talkative children
practice waiting to speak, and allows quiet children the chance to develop confidence
sharing their thoughts. Help your children with different personality styles learn to be
patient and respect each other’s preferences. You can make sure that you work
together as a family to ensure that no one’s thoughts or feelings are left out (Laney,
2001).
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References
Cain, S. (2012). Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking. New York: Crown Publishing.
Cain, S. (2011). Manifesto. Retrieved from: www.thepowerofintroverts.com/sixteen-things-i-believe/
Johnson, D. L., Wiebe, J. S., Gold, S. M., Andreasen, N. C., Hichwa, R. D., Watkins, L., Boles Ponto., L. L. (1999). Cerebral
blood flow and personality: A positron emission tomography study. The American Journal of Psychiatry 156(2),
252-257
Jung, C. G. (1976). Psychological types (H.G. Baynes, trans.) (Rev. ed.). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. (Original
work published in 1921).
Laney, M. O. (2001). The introvert advantage: How to thrive in an extrovert world. New York: Workman Publishing.
Tieger, P. D. & Barron-Tieger, B. (1995). Do what you are: Discover the perfect career for you through the secrets of
personality type (2nd ed.). New York: Little, Brown and Company.
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