Key Takeaways
- Extroverts get energy from being around other people and have many friends.
- They are talkative, friendly, and like to work in groups.
- Introverts feel tired after being with people, but extroverts feel refreshed.
Extroverts draw energy from social interactions. People who are high in extroversion tend to feel excited about spending time with others, have a lot of social confidence, and often have high self-esteem. Others typically describe them as sociable, friendly, and talkative.
Understanding your personality type can help you improve your relationships, better understand your likes and dislikes, recognize your strengths and weaknesses, and discover new ways to approach problems.
So, keep reading to learn more about what it means to be an extrovert and some signs that you might have this type of personality. We also discuss the effects that being an extrovert may have on your life and what you can do to be more or less extroverted if you wish.
Verywell / Joshua Seong
What Is an Extrovert?
An extrovert is someone with a personality marked by an expressive, outgoing behavior pattern. Extroverts are typically gregarious and unreserved, seeking social interaction because it brings them enjoyment.
Do you love meeting new people? Does a big social event leave you feeling energized and renewed? If so, you might be an extrovert.
On the positive side, extroverts are often seen as talkative, sociable, action-oriented, enthusiastic, friendly, and outgoing. On the negative side, they are sometimes looked at as attention-seeking, easily distracted, and unable to spend time alone. Extroverts are also more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors, including risky health behaviors.
Some of the general characteristics associated with extroversion include:
- Enjoys being at the center of attention
- Enjoys group work
- Feels isolated by too much time spent alone
- Has numerous, broad interests
- Likes to communicate by talking
- Likes to talk about feelings and thoughts
- Looks to others and outside sources for ideas and inspiration
- Tends to act before thinking
Extraversion vs. Introversion
Introversion and extroversion are key personality dimensions in the five-factor model of personality. This model suggests that personality consists of five broad dimensions, each existing on a continuum.
While some people might tend to be at the extreme end of either side, most are somewhere in the middle. So while you might have a lot of traits that make you an extrovert, you might also find yourself sometimes exhibiting traits that are more introverted in nature.
You can also be an introverted extrovert—a type of ambivert. An ambivert enjoys socializing and can draw energy from it if the mood, setting, and/or circumstances are comfortable for them. If you have traits of both extroverts and introverts, you’re a type of ambivert.
Common Traits of Extroverts
What are the signs you might be an extrovert? Here are five key traits common to extroverted personalities.
Introverts
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Gain energy by spending time alone
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Prefer a smaller group of friends
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Tend to think before they speak
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Enjoy working independently
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Generally more reserved
You Love to Talk
You enjoy talking not only to friends, family, and co-workers but also to strangers. Meeting new people and learning about their lives is something you love. While introverts often think before speaking, extroverts typically speak to explore and organize their thoughts and ideas.
Research has shown that introverts tend to talk in more concrete ways, whereas extroverted speech tends to be more abstract.
Extroverts also tend to have a wide circle of friends. Since they are good at meeting new people, striking up conversations, and genuinely enjoy the company of others, it probably is no surprise that making friends comes easily for an extrovert.
You’re Inspired by Socializing
Do you tend to feel charged up and inspired after you’ve spent some time with other people? Extroverts tend to find such social interactions refreshing and actually gain energy from such exchanges.
When extroverts have to spend a lot of time alone, they often begin to feel uninspired and listless. If given a choice between spending time alone and spending time with other people, an extrovert will almost always choose to spend time with a group.
You Discuss Your Problems
When you are facing a problem, you prefer to discuss the issues and various options with others. After a difficult day at work or school, for instance, talking about it with friends or family can help you feel less stressed. It also helps you explore the issue in-depth and figure out which solution might work the best.
Introverts, on the other hand, prefer to think about problems instead of talking about them. They also often want to spend time alone after a trying day versus spending time with others.
You’re Friendly and Approachable
Since people with this personality type love interacting with other people so much, others tend to find extroverts likable and easy to approach. At a party, an extrovert will probably be the first one to walk up to new guests and make introductions. Extroverts typically find it easy to meet new people and make new friends.
You Are Very Open
While introverts are sometimes perceived as closed-off and aloof, extroverts are typically very open and willing to share their thoughts and feelings. Because of this, other people generally find that extroverts are easier to get to know.
Recap
Not all extroverts are the same. However, some common traits they tend to share include being talkative, friendly, and open.
How Do You Know If You’re an Extrovert?
Understanding your personality type and your tendencies can help you learn more about yourself, including your strengths and weaknesses in different situations. There are a number of different ways to measure extroversion and determine if you tend to be more of an extrovert or introvert.
Can an extrovert be shy or lack confidence?
Shyness is not the same as introversion. Whereas a shy person tends to avoid situations in which they might be judged, an introvert needs time to recharge after spending time with people.
For many people, simply reading a description of this personality trait is enough to help them decide whether they are an extrovert. In other cases, taking a more formal personality assessment can offer further insight.
Signs You May Be An Extrovert
Take an Extrovert-Introvert Quiz
If you’re wondering where you fall on the scale of extroversion and introversion, our fast and free quiz can help you figure it out!
This quiz was reviewed by David Susman, PhD
The Big Five Personality Test is one of the best-known measures of extroversion and introversion. It is based on the five-factor model of personality and also measures other major personality traits including conscientiousness, neuroticism, agreeableness, and openness.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is another psychological test that includes extroversion as one of its main components.
Recap
If you aren’t sure whether you are an extrovert or an introvert, taking an online quiz or personality assessment may help. Learning more about your tendencies can be a great way to better understand yourself.
Types of Extroverts
According to Carl Jung’s theory of personality, there are four different types of extroverts. The four types of extroverts are:
- Extroverted sensors, who are strongly inspired by the physical world.
- Extroverted feelers, who enjoy listening and talking to other people.
- Extroverted intuitives, who enjoy thinking abstractly and having deep conversations and friendly debates.
- Extroverted thinkers, who are goal-oriented, high-achieving, and decisive.
These four types are also incorporated into the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, which describes 16 different personality types based on Jungian personality dimensions.
Effects of Being an Extrovert
Having an extrovert personality has been associated with a number of positive outcomes. Extroverts tend to spend more time with other people, spend more time engaged in social activities, and have more friends. Research has also suggested that extroverts tend to be happier than introverts and are less prone to certain psychological disorders.
This doesn’t mean that being an extrovert is without its challenges. Studies suggest that extroverts also tend to experience more excitement-seeking, impulsivity, overconfidence, recklessness, and intolerance of boredom.
Having an extroverted personality is not objectively better than having a more introverted one. Each type of personality has its strengths and potential weaknesses, so being aware of the challenges you might face can be helpful.
Some experts suggest that ambiverts—or people who are in the middle of the extroversion/introversion continuum—may have the greatest advantage because they essentially get the best of both worlds.
How to Be More (or Less) Extroverted
There are times when you might want to act more like an extrovert, such as when you are meeting new people. In other cases, you might want to restrain some of your more extroverted tendencies, such as when you want to spend time being more reflective.
While genetics tends to play the greatest role in determining your overall personality, there are steps you can take to act more or less extroverted.
To Be More Extroverted
Research suggests that introverts who make an effort to act more extroverted may experience some benefits, including increased feelings of connectedness and more positive emotions.
If you are more on the introverted side of the continuum but want to try to experience extroversion, these strategies may help.
- Explore a hobby: Find clubs, meet-ups, and groups where you can interact more with people who share your interests.
- Practice: Increasing your social exposure can help you to feel more comfortable talking to others more often.
- Try new things: While you might prefer to stay in your comfort zone, looking for new experiences can help you explore different sides of yourself.
To Be Less Extroverted
If you want to tone down your extroverted tendencies and seek more inner knowledge, try activities like these.
- Build your awareness: Contemplative activities such as practicing mindfulness or meditation can give you the chance to focus on what you are feeling and thinking in the present moment.
- Spend time alone: Solitary activities like walking in nature, reading a book, or dining alone can be good ways to reflect on your thoughts without distractions.
- Write in a journal: Expressive writing can give you the opportunity to dig deeper into your feelings and contemplate your inner life.
Recap
Changing your personality isn’t easy, but evidence suggests that you can become more of an extrovert over time if you make a deliberate effort to cultivate more extroverted behaviors and characteristics.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why is extrovert sometimes spelled extravert?
Carl Jung based the two terms on Latin, in which “extra” means outside and “intro” means inside. A psychologist named Phyllis Blanchard later changed the spelling of the term in a paper, which played a role in the extrovert spelling becoming the predominant form. Today, the extravert spelling is still widely used in psychology, while the extrovert spelling remains more common in popular usage.
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How can you become an extrovert?
Studies suggest that people can learn how to improve their extroverted traits, but it takes sustained and consistent effort.
Deliberately engaging in more extroverted behavior (such as socializing more, spending time with others, acting enthusiastic and energetic, etc.), may help you develop more extroverted qualities over time.
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Is it better to be an extrovert or an introvert?
There is no type of personality that is better in every situation. Extroverts tend to succeed in situations that benefit from their outgoing, gregarious nature. This is why they often excel in leadership positions and careers that involve a great deal of social interaction.
Introverts, however, do well in roles that require more reflection, analysis, and listening abilities. No matter what type of personality you have, building on your strengths and finding ways to cope with your weaknesses can help you be successful.
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What does it mean to be an introverted extrovert?
An introverted extrovert is a type of ambivert who exhibits both extroverted and introverted qualities. People with this personality type may tend to be quite social but are also deeply introspective at the same time. Whether they gain energy from socializing may depend on their mood, the setting, and the circumstances.
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What is an extrovert vs. an introvert?
The primary difference between an extrovert and an introvert involves where they gain energy. Where an extrovert gets energized by socializing and spending time around others, introverts feel drained in these situations. Instead, an introvert feels recharged by spending time alone or in small groups.
