From the Myers Briggs Type Indicator to the Enneagram, there are many personality tests out there that can reveal more about you. Learning more about your personality can be a powerful tool.
Personality tests can provide many advantages, such as:
Being able to understand yourself better
Helping you choose what path of study you want to pursue
Helping you pick a career that suits your interests
Enhancing your management skills
Teaching you healthy coping mechanisms
Making you more empathetic
Gaining insight into your mental health
More generally, personality tests can increase your level of self-awareness and help nurture important relationships in your life. A major component of almost all personality tests is whether you are more introverted or more extroverted.
Most likely, you know what side of the spectrum you are on by simply noting if you are more outgoing or shy in your everyday life. However, personality tests can offer more definitive answers. The question of whether you are an extrovert or introvert is more complex than simply being demonstrative or timid.
Anchor Therapy is a counseling center in Hoboken, NJ with psychotherapists specialized in helping children, teens, adults, and couples with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, and life transitions. Anchor Therapy is accepting new clients and is now providing in-person sessions and telehealth (video/phone) sessions to residents of New Jersey and New York.
What is the difference between an extrovert and an introvert?
The primary distinction between extroversion and introversion is the type of environment that energizes each type. Truly, it comes down to an energy preference- both the giving and receiving of energy.
You can view extroversion and introversion as a spectrum. If you feel like you gain energy by being around other people, you may fall more extroverted. On the other hand, if you feel like being around a group of people drains your energy, you may be more introverted.
With that being said, you do not have to be a complete extrovert or a complete introvert. Given that extraversion and introversion are a spectrum, you may possess qualities of both personality types. No personality style is right or better than another. Most of the time, people are not solely extroverted or solely introverted. However, understanding which side you lean more towards can reveal a lot about the way you view and act in the world.
What are the characteristics of an extrovert?
People who fall into the extroversion category tend to feel energized by their environment, including the people, places, and things that surround them.
Some tendencies of an extrovert are as follows:
Extroverts like working with other people - Extroverted people typically enjoy working collaboratively, from a group project at work to planning a party with a close friend. Extroverted individuals may try to keep the group running as smoothly as possible or even jump into a leadership role. Regardless of how an extrovert participates in a group setting, they feel energized after working with others.
Extroverts find that the best way to solve a problem is to talk through it - Extroverted people find that discussion is the best way to resolve issues. This way, they can talk through their problems and get feedback from others.
Extroverts want to try new things - In addition to being confident and outgoing, extroverts are not afraid to try something new, even if it is a little dangerous. They also can easily manage to adjust to new plans or situations. That is to say, they are more action-oriented. Once an extrovert makes their mind up and decides to take action, they tend not to worry so much about their decision. They might not spend a lot of time going over all of their actions’ potential outcomes.
Alone time can feel draining - Extroverted people need the company of others to recharge. Moving from one social event to the next social setting can have great benefits for an extrovert. Extroverts may even constantly surround themselves with others just to avoid being alone. If after a long, stressful day you want to spend time with others, you are most likely an extrovert. Another sign of extroversion can be if you feel tired or cranky after having too much alone time.
Extroverts find it easy to make friends - When people think of extroverts, one of the first things that come to mind is being sociable. Extroverts tend to have large groups of friends, take pleasure in meeting new people, and find it easy to have deep, meaningful conversations with strangers or people they barely know.
What are the characteristics of an introvert?
Introverted people tend to get a bad reputation. Some people may associate being an introvert with social anxiety, awkwardness, a general inability to lead, and/or a void of strong interpersonal skills. However, these characteristics have nothing to do with being an introvert. Introversion simply means that a person finds energy within themselves instead of external forces.
Some tendencies of an introvert are as follows:
Introverts prefer to avoid conflict - Already, introverts are less likely to initiate a conversation with people regardless of whether they know them well or not. Most of the time, this stems from preferring internal conversation and reflection, but conflict can also play a role. Introverts are highly sensitive to feedback. If an introvert feels like they will be criticized, they are less likely to engage in conversation. When introverts do want to share ideas, they may be more likely to do it when the conversation is anonymous or in written format. These forms of communication give introverts time to reflect on what they are going to say which makes them feel more comfortable.
Introverts consider things carefully - When an introvert has a big decision to make or is greeted with a new opportunity, they are more likely to think it over than take immediate, impulsive action.
Introverts are good listeners - Socializing is draining for introverts, therefore they prefer to listen and take in what is happening in their surroundings. It is more comfortable for them to be in the background than center stage. Although introverts like to quietly observe matters, that does not make them shy or socially anxious. Introverts still contribute to the conversation just not as often as others.
Introverts are great visualizers - Introverted people inevitably spend more time in their heads in comparison to extroverts. Introverts may feel like they are off in their own space most of the time. However, it is in this space that introverts are completing their best work. This time can allow them to think through hardships or brainstorm new, creative ideas. Creating thoughts can be a great process whereas sharing them may be challenging.
Introverts need alone time - When you need to be alone to recharge after a stressful day, you lean more introverted. Introverts do not avoid people at all costs, but they are probably not gathering with a large group of people. Introverts choose who they share their energy with very wisely, keeping it to a handful of people that they feel comfortable with.
Your personality is unique- it’s yours! Whether you are more extroverted, introverted, or fall somewhere in between, there is nothing wrong with your personality style. They are simply terms to describe your energy and how you relate to others. By knowing where you fall on the spectrum, you can learn more about your emotional needs, how you make decisions, and what self-love looks like to you.
Victoria Scala
is the Social Media Manager at Anchor Therapy in Hoboken, New Jersey. She is currently an undergraduate student at the Honors College of Rutgers University-Newark, looking to study Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the graduate level. As a Social Media Manager at Anchor Therapy, Victoria is committed to producing content for and managing the office’s social media presence and blog.
