Extraversion / Introversion

Definition: extraverts have an extraverted function as their leading function (, , , or ), while introverts have an introverted one (, , , or ).

Be sure to read the discussion below the chart as well.

	EXTRAVERTS	INTROVERTS
perception	focused on demands and objective nature of outside world rather than on one's subjective ties with outside world perceive world as objects that can be taken apart, studied, known, and compared to each other; extrapolate ties between objects from objects' characteristics qualities of objects are taken for granted, while interrelationships between objects are seen as being malleable; change interaction of objects to better fit qualities of objects feel responsible for events and situations that form around them and others	focused on one's ties with and subjective perception of outside world rather than outside world itself perceive world as ties or interrelationships between objects; extrapolate qualities of objects from their interrelationships with other objects interrelationships are taken for granted, while qualities of object are seen as being malleable; adapt qualities of objects to better fit their interrelationships feel responsible for quality of their own and others' psychological 'field' (nature of interaction between subject and outside world)
physiology	focused on expending energy; need to expend energy and attention to reach state of complete equilibrium generally have higher optimal level of arousal on average more commanding, assertive voice tend to gesticulate from the shoulder down	focused on conserving energy; need to be given energy and attention to reach state of complete equilibrium slightly lower optimal level of arousal on average slightly less commanding voice tend to gesticulate from the elbow down
emotions	socionic extraversion does NOT equal outgoingness liven up in unfamiliar settings or when they have someone to give their energy and attention to like to involve others and don't appreciate others trying to involve them	socionic introversion does NOT equal unsocialibility or shyness liven up in familiar settings or when someone is giving them energy and attention like to be involved by others and don't appreciate others who expect them to involve them
intellectual qualities	wider and more superficial interests; interested in things that don't apply to them need greater stream of external stimuli to avoid boredom attention and thought tend to be focused on present and near future need to speak their thoughts out loud to know what they think	narrower but deeper interests; clearer sense of what applies to them and what doesn't get more absorbed in situations than extraverts attention and thought tend to be focused on present and recent past know what they think without having to express their thoughts out loud
strengths	starting from scratch comparing people's traits and skills objectively respecting people's individual traits and values without trying to change them enjoy taking on new responsibilities increasing the scale of tasks creating and directing situations forming new ties between people	creating finished products usually better listeners and supporters not interfering in others' relationships enjoy limiting their responsibilities scaling back tasks developing new qualities and values in people adjusting to situations and existing ties between people
typical talents	making contacts expanding organizations' activities promoting others	working with regular partners and organizations' internal affairs perfecting organization's internal structure
weaknesses	mismanaging their inner world; trying to make sense of and find themselves overdoing things; wasting energy and spreading themselves too thin can become slaves to outside world and lose sense of self from constantly serving external causes can become drifty and keep changing their external situation without changing their attitudes and inner world	handling complex situations involving strangers underdoing things in the outside world; avoidance of showing 'too much' initiative can disappear into an imaginary world that has little to do with reality get stuck more easily in undesirable external situations and may not realize that they can change situation or simply get out rather than endlessly adapting
typical doubts	often unsure of what ties actually exist between them and others often afraid of losing control of their inner world (feelings, reactions to external stimuli)	often unsure of how they (their traits, skills, etc.) compare to other people often afraid of being unnoticed and unneeded in outside world
behavior in relationships	continual expansion; forgetting what ground has been covered keep widening relationship by adding new material or activities develop and look after partners' external life (activities, interests, circle of friends, useful opportunities)	manage inner life of relationship accepting of partners' initiative develop and look after partners' inner life (feelings, sentiments, inner needs, subjective perception of reality)

Common misconceptions about extraversion and introversion

After studying the table above, it should be clear that socionics defines these terms differently than they are understood in modern psychology. After Jung the terms "extraversion" and "introversion" gradually took on a concrete meaning — extraverts are sociable individuals who are enjoy group activities and socializing, while introverts like to spend large amounts of time by themselves. Based on these definitions, it was found that 75% of Americans are extraverts, and 25% introverts. American culture values extraverted qualities more, and people often feel like they've been given the 'short end of the stick' after receiving their results on extraversion/introversion tests. Using socionic definitions of these terms, however, my experience has shown that the numbers are practically equal — not only in the U.S., but also in Ukraine, Russia, Spain, and other countries I have visited. With such differing results, it is obvious that socionic extraversion and introversion only somewhat overlap with modern psychological (and popular) definitions of the terms.

Extraversion / Introversion

Common misconceptions about extraversion and introversion

Subtle differences between [socionic] extraverts and introverts