Introverts & Extroverts

C.S. Lewis once said, “We meet no ordinary people in our lives”[1]. Both introverts and extroverts play a role in a community. They also share similarities like activities they do, places they go, and friends they make. A person can also be an ambivert, which is a mix of both personality types.

Often times, a person with one personality trait can seem annoying to a person with a different personality trait. However, understanding the similarities, differences, and needs of the individual can assist in understanding a person. Introverts and extroverts both play a role in the community, but both are different in how they interact in social environments, how they react to internal neurological cues, and how they are motivated.

Introverts and extroverts interact differently in social contexts, which is a key indicator to the individual’s personality type. Introverts are energized by being alone, while extroverts are charged through being with people. This is explained well by Emily C. Klear, who is a psychiatrist. She says, “Extroversion and introversion [are] about how we charge our batteries. Extroverts get their batteries charged from being around others, and introverts get their batteries charged from being alone.”[2]

People are recharged internally and externally.

Additionally, introverts focus on quality friendships, while extroverts focus on the quantity of friends. Professional counselors such as Lauren Tritten report that, “When it comes to friendships, introverts value quality over quantity.”[3] Both personality types have beauty since quality and quantity are needed to reach communities. For example, introverts are gifted at cultivating deep one-on-one relationships, while extroverts are gifted at bringing groups together. This is demonstrated well inside the church. Extroverts are extraordinary welcomers, but introverts can develop strong relationships and make people feel connected. Although introverts and extraverts might respond differently to other individuals, each person also has biological traits that contribute to a unique personality type.

Introverts and extroverts respond to neurological cues differently when it comes to expressing emotions and feelings to other people[4]. Introverts often think through feelings before verbally expressing them, while extroverts work through feelings by voicing them first. Findings from positivepsychology.com “suggested a dopaminergic basis for individual differences in extraversion. In introverts, activity in the putamen was left-lateralized, with these areas having high concentrations of dopamine terminals.”[5] Not only are both personality types different chemically but also the structurally. Introverts have a larger prefrontal cortex, but extroverts are bolder in how they express their thoughts. Evidence for this was discovered by Harvard psychologist Randy Buckner, who found that, “people who identify as introverts tend to have larger and thicker gray matter in certain areas of the prefrontal cortex, a highly complex brain region associated with abstract thought and decision-making.”[6] Jennifer Granneman notes that, “Introverts are more responsive to the chemical acetylcholine, but extroverts are rewarded by the chemical dopamine.” [7]

Often times when people encounter the opposite personality type, they do not realize that the chemical components of the brain also contribute to how individuals express themselves. This leads into understanding how humans are rewarded.

Introverts and extroverts are motivated by different rewards. Extroverts are usually motivated by being heard or praised by many people, but introverts look forward to one-on-one praise. For example, my brother, Micah, is specifically more motivated to do his chores after he receives words of affirmation from multiple family members. After he receives those rewards, he will often work even harder. Another difference between the two main personality types is how each person develops relationally. Simply Psychology explains this concept by saying that, “Extroverts are motivated by growing their social circle, while introverts seek to keep their circle of friends small.”[8] Extroverts are motivated by focusing their attention outwardly; introverts are motivated by focusing their attention inwardly. Information from Psychologist World suggests, “Whilst extraversion is associated with outgoing behavior - an external activity - it also helps us to understand a person’s inner world. Psychologists believe that a need for social stimulation drives extraverts' behavior.”[9]

Understanding what other people need to feel rewarded can help individuals around them know how to better motivate them.

Introverts and extroverts both play a role in the community, but both are different in how they interact in social environments, how they react to internal neurological cues, and how they are motivated. Through seeing the strengths and weaknesses of both introverts and extroverts, others can learn to appreciate how the Creator uniquely created each individual. These two types of people are both important to society. May people remember the admonition of C. S. Lewis that no person is an ordinary person while valuing one another’s unique qualities.

Written by Kelby Grace Beeson

[1] Lewis, C. S. (n.d.). A quote from The Weight of Glory. Goodreads. Retrieved November 2, 2022, from https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/42142-there-are-no-ordinary-people-you-have-never-talked-to [2] Payton, L. O. T. (2020, November 23). How introvert-extrovert couples can make it work (without losing their minds) during covid quarantine. Peoplemag. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from https://people.com/lifestyle/how-introvert-extrovert-couples-can-make-it-work-during-covid/ [3]Trittin, L. (2020, July 3). How introverts can make more high-quality friendships. IntrovertDear.com. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from https://introvertdear.com/news/tips-introverts-make-more-high-quality-friendships/ [4]Frothingham, M. B. (n.d.). How you can tell that you're an introvert. 8 Signs You're an Introvert - Simply Psychology. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/signs-you-are-an-introvert.html [5] Elaine Houston, B. S. (2022, September 9). Introvert vs extrovert: A look at the Spectrum & Psychology. PositivePsychology.com. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from https://positivepsychology.com/introversion-extroversion-spectrum/#brain [6] Magazine, D. (2019, November 20). Are the brains of introverts and extroverts actually different? Discover Magazine. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/are-the-brains-of-introverts-and-extroverts-actually-different [7] Granneman, J. (2015, December 21). Why introverts and extroverts are different: The science. Quiet. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from https://quietrev.com/why-introverts-and-extroverts-are-different-the-science/ [8] Frothingham, M. B. (n.d.). How you can tell that you're an introvert. 8 Signs You're an Introvert - Simply Psychology. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/signs-you-are-an-introvert.html [9] Waude, A. (2017, February 2). Extraversion and introversion. Psychologist World. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from https://www.psychologistworld.com/influence-personality/extraversion-introversion