Extraversion Definition: 4 Signs of an Extraverted Personality

In social psychology, extraversion (or extroversion) refers to personalities with gregariousness, sociability, and agreeableness in social interactions. Psychologist Carl Jung’s 1921 book Psychological Types defines extraversion as associating positive emotions and well-being with stimuli and social gatherings. Sub-traits of extraversion include assertiveness, friendliness, and positivity.

Personality theories, such as the five-factor model of personality and Hans Eysenck's three-factor model, help identify cognitive functions. Questionnaires and personality tests, like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and NEO Personality Inventory-3, can illustrate individual differences and help people discover where they rank on the extraversion-introversion scale. In psychiatry, understanding such personality dimensions can help patients understand how to cope with their social feelings and connect to others.

Extraversion and introversion are two of the big five personality traits, along with neuroticism, openness, and conscientiousness. Extraverts and introverts seek energy in different ways. Introverts require fewer stimuli, reflect in quiet, and prefer one-on-one friendships. Extraverts enjoy more stimulation and can boost dopamine by reflecting outwardly when processing feelings, spending time with others, and meeting new people in large groups. Extraverts often have higher levels of happiness than introverted personalities.

Sometimes people display ambiversion, a combination of introverted and extroverted personalities. Ambiverts might enjoy a mix of extroversion-introversion preferences, which can mean they experience validation through both alone time and social situations. Both are necessary depending on the person’s mood or desires.

The following personality traits align with being an extravert. Consider the signs of extraversion:

1. 1. You are talkative. Extraverts tend to start conversations and are talkative in social settings.
2. 2. You enjoy being the center of attention. Extraverts are okay with being the center of attention, socializing at parties, and bringing people together in social environments.
3. 3. You gain validation from new social activities. Extraverts are more prone to try new activities with new groups of people to widen their social circle and make more connections.
4. 4. You need frequent social contact. Extraverts prefer spending more of their free time with others than alone. Extraverted personalities like the outside world over the inner world.

Children and adolescents display extraverted or introverted qualities, but these can change over time. Sometimes people’s location, proximity to people they know, and personal or professional circumstances will dictate their extraversion and introversion. It’s also possible that one’s preferences for socialization will evolve with age.

Becoming more of an extrovert can be challenging, but there are ways to do so incrementally. Try spending time with someone familiar but in a unique setting, such as getting drinks with a friendly coworker outside of the office. You can ask a close friend to introduce you to their network to meet new people. Try joining clubs in your community, such as hiking, cooking, or reading clubs, to broaden your social network and make new friends.

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