Carl Jung invented the words ‘extraversion’ and ‘introversion.’ He did it to distinguish the two worlds in which we live. He suggested there is a world outside of ourselves and there is a world inside ourselves. We all live in both worlds. Here, we look to that world outside of ourselves, the world of the Extrovert.
No Judgement is Implied
We like to start by clarifying that the terms ‘extraversion’ and ‘introversion’ – designating Extroverts and Introverts are not judgement of any kind. These words tell you where people get their energy from and how they spend energy. Neither type is better than the other, and good-bad don’t enter into our discussion of Extrovert-Introvert people. All we are showing here is how people obtain energy and their preferred way of spending energy. No judgement is implied.
The World of the Extrovert
People who prefer Extroversion like to focus on the outer world of people and activity. They direct their energy and attention outward and receive energy from interacting with people and taking action.
Characteristics of people who prefer Extraversion:
- Attuned to external environment
- Prefer to communicate by talking
- Work out ideas by talking them through
- Learn best by doing or discussing
- Have broad interests
- Sociable and expressive
- Quick to take initiatives in work and relationships
So, if we do a little mind-map of extroversion, we might see a wee summary:
Extroverts and Human Values
We can easily identify human values in the activities of extroverts. Extroverts are energised by the external environment, and when they are alone, they can quickly become bored or drained of energy. They generate focus with their verbal skills, they express curiosity in communication and making conversation. In discussing ideas, they are sharing their wealth, their insights, their energy. The broad interests we see in extroverts illustrates awareness of the environment, global awareness and consideration.
Extroverts are sociable, especially with new people, and they show appreciation and friendship easily. They are expressive, what you see is what you get with an extrovert. They are people who take initiative easily, thus showing their self-reliance. They may not be aware of what is going on in their internal environment or in their bodies. The doctor might ask, ‘Does it hurt?’ And the extrovert might answer ‘Here and there’…
| Human Value | Illustrated by |
|---|---|
| Truth | Focus, Curiosity |
| Love | Sharing, Appreciation, Friendship |
| Non-Violence | Global Awareness |
| Right Action | Initiative, Self Reliance, Consideration |
| Peace | Inner silence, Observing Environment |
This page is © Rev. Chris Parnell, who learned about type in 1975; completed a workshop with Isabel Briggs Myers in 1980 and is a member of the Australian Association for Psychological Type. He completed a Diploma in Human Values in 2004. ✺ All Rights Reserved.