Introverted vs. Extraverted Tendencies: What People Misunderstand

Introduction

In pop culture, "Extravert" means party animal and "Introvert" means hermit. In the 16-type system, these terms mean something very different: they describe the direction of your energy.

Extraversion (E): Object-Oriented

Extraverts focus on the object (the external world). They process thoughts by speaking them out loud. They need external stimulation to feel alive.

• Myth: Extraverts are always confident.
• Reality: An Extravert can be shy or socially anxious, but they still need external input to recharge.

Introversion (I): Subject-Oriented

Introverts focus on the subject (the internal world). They process thoughts internally before speaking. They need solitude to consolidate their energy.

• Myth: Introverts hate people.
• Reality: Introverts can be very social, but it drains their battery. They prefer depth over breadth.

The Biology

Brain scans show that Introverts have higher baseline cortical arousal. They don't need much external stimulation to feel "awake." Extraverts have lower baseline arousal, so they seek stimulation to reach that optimal level.