Personality trait 3: Extraversion / Introversion Quiz

Your Score Indicates You have:

Low Extroversion / High Introversion

People who score low on extraversion are known as introverts. Many introverts are more comfortable on their own, and are often perceived as shy or subdued, though this isn’t strictly accurate. Introverts certainly can be shy, but many introverts simply require less stimulation to feel fulfilled, finding large amounts of socializing draining after a while.

Introverted people usually build fewer connections with others, compared to their extraverted counterparts, but their connections tend to be more meaningful. This means that, despite seeming less social than extraverts, introverts may seem more genuinely interested in other people, and may have more fulfilling social lives than extraverts.

Finally, people who are low on extraversion may have a natural inclination for success in intellectual or solitary pursuits. They are generally better at sustaining attention for long periods of time, to complete tasks such as reading and studying.

There are a wide range of careers associated with introversion (or low extraversion), including: writer, accountant, statistician, mechanic, computer programmer, and solicitor (not to be confused with a barrister, who needs to speak in court and is likely to be extraverted).

On the other hand, there are downsides too. The fact that introverted people do not build large social networks can cause them to miss out on career opportunities, benefiting less from the “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” mantra, and struggling more with skills like “networking”.

In addition, introverts can be vulnerable to loneliness or relationship dependency thanks to the small number of relationships in their lives. For example, if an introvert avoids socializing outside their small circle of friends, they may lose their whole social circle during phases of life involving significant change (such as leaving school or university, changing jobs or careers, or moving to a new city or country), and struggle with the task of making new friends.

Similarly, extremely introverted people may organize their lives around one or two key relationships, and suffer a devastating loss when one of those relationships ends. Anxiety surrounding this can lead to unhealthy relationship dependence, or even obsessive behavior.

Your Score Indicates You have:

Moderate Extroversion / Introversion

Most people fall between the two poles of the extraversion scale. These people are sometimes called “ambiverts”. They are able to change their degree of sociability, depending on the situation.

They are likely to enjoy most social situations, without feeling the need to be the center of attention. They also appreciate alone time, as long as they have some opportunities to socialize, thereby maintaining a healthy balance between social and solitary endeavors.

In most cases individuals in the middle of extraversion and introversion score are well adjusted to social life by having healthy relationships with others without depending on them.

Your Score Indicates You have:

High Extroversion

Highly extraverted people frequently seek out social stimulation. They are often more comfortable being surrounded by people than they are alone, and they enjoy being the center of attention. Other people tend to view them as “the life of the party”, and they are often perceived as popular.

Because they are highly social, they can build large networks of friends and contacts easily. This can be advantageous for career development – we’ve all heard the common phrase: “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” in relation to finding jobs.

Predictably, highly extraverted people are attracted to careers involving significant social interaction. Their charisma, enthusiasm, energy levels and strong communication skills make them good sales people, public speakers, legal barristers and teachers (to name just a few examples).

In terms of mental health, highly extraverted people benefit from the fact that they are wired to seek out excitement, social interaction and positive emotion. Basically, they are naturally inclined to pursue many aspects of the human experience which are known to be good for mental health.

Nevertheless, there are potential downsides of high extraversion which can cause problems. For example, people who crave constant social interaction may find it difficult to complete solitary activities like reading or studying for long periods of time, which can hinder their ability to succeed in academic or intellectual pursuits.

In addition, the desire for constant social stimulation can cause extroverts to become dependent on the attention of others. They can become “out-of-touch” with their own feelings or emotions, preferring to distract themselves with socializing instead of spending time along.

They may also struggle to form meaningful relationships, since their approach to socializing is often focused on quantity rather than quality. Unsurprisingly, this can produce feelings of loneliness and depression.

At the most extreme end of the scale, highly extraverted people can become addicted to attention, causing them to “act out” in an effort to get more of it. This “acting out” could involve “show-off” behavior, like being very loud, or engaging in dangerous activities to impress others.

Another example of “acting out” could be engaging in promiscuous or risky sexual behavior, simply for the purpose of receiving the attention of another person. Unsurprisingly, this too can produce negative mental health consequences.

Social rewards are particularly important for you as an Extraverted person. You enjoy feeling respected, admired, and sought after by others. You are willing to expend significant energy improving your social status so that other people will take notice and appreciate you.