Kenneth Demsky PhD

Posted 14th June 2020

Self-esteem

What’s the true difference between an introvert and an extrovert?

Introvert and extrovert.... These terms are in such frequent usage, it’s hard to keep track of what they really mean.

To ask for information or to arrange an appointment,
please call Kenneth Demsky, PhD on 020 7435 6116
or send an e-mail to enquiry@drkennethdemsky.co.uk

Jung invented the terms in the 1920s, stating that they distinguished between those whose psychic energy was turned inward or outward. Eysenck, thirty years later, further refined their meaning, using them to refer to personality-based differences in sociability.

However, the essence of the difference has to do with whether one is energised by being stimulated or energised by resting. The stimuli can be anything: people, sights or sounds or activity; resting can be time spent alone or in relative tranquility with another person, possibly meditating, listening to low-keyed music or looking at nature.

Both kinds of individuals may love parties—but the introvert will enjoy a smaller amount of such a high-stimulus event and will require down-time to recover; the extrovert will be charged ‘up’ and wanting more of it and going on longer. Both kinds may enjoy time alone, but, whilst the introvert will emerge from seclusion refreshed and with eyes bright, the extrovert needs to make sure time to oneself does not last too long or some degree of depression is likely.

Contrastingly, when an introvert experiences too much stimuli—for instance, during a busy week before Christmas holidays—that person may become irritable or anxious. The extrovert will report feeling excited and savouring the added intensity of the pre-holiday activities.

We both have aspects of extroversion and introversion. However, it is believed that, due to the level of electrical activities in our brains, we have a general disposition towards stimulus-seeking or stimulus-limiting to function optimally. This makes a disposition towards introversion or extroversion a hard-wired part of our personalities. It’s helpful to know your own personality style, respect it and make it work for you.

Posted 14th June 2020

To ask  for information or to arrange an appointment,
please call Kenneth Demsky, PhD
on 020 7435 6116
or send an e-mail to