The process by which a person receives psychic energy is the basis of his temperament and character. On this basis, introverts and extroverts are distinguished. We are familiar with these terms from school, but we can’t always rationally apply them in real life - with respect to any person or ourselves. But even more interesting is the question of whether an extrovert can become an introvert or vice versa? Let's remember all the concepts, find the differences and figure it out.
We interpret the terms
Let's start with a brighter one. An extrovert is a person who is primarily aimed at communicating with society. He never sits in place, always in search of something new, interesting, bright. He often makes acquaintances, is the initiator of events, and takes an active part in those that are started by other personalities. An extrovert easily forgets insults and even those people who caused them to him. He seemed to dump all his thoughts and emotions outward, not embarrassed by anyone or anything. This moment is also key in self-expression - people immediately understand what it is and who a particular extrovert is.
The definition of an introvert is the opposite of the type that has just been described above. Such people are aimed at themselves, or rather, inside themselves. They constantly reflect, analyze, dream, think something, doing it for a long time and constantly. At the same time, they absolutely do not need to communicate with large masses of people, moreover, social events are something that the introvert always tries to avoid. They do not play in public, do not show at once everything that is going on in their head - and there oh how many things. An introvert is designed to absorb information, listen to other people, read, learn something new and then analyze it all for a long time alone.
Compare concepts
Obviously, the difference between an introvert and an extrovert. These two types have nothing in common, they are completely polar. In each question, in each characteristic, the values will be different, so you just give a scale of qualities of the first and second. So, extroverts have:
- The desire for regular communication with others.
- Craving for mass events and large crowds.
- The need for constant attention from everyone - both close and strangers.
- Weakened control over their own emotions. Such people are extremely unstable, they are characterized by outbursts of anger, rage, crying or laughing, all of which can change within half an hour or less.
- A huge amount of vital energy and strength.
And here are the qualities that introverts can boast of:
- A high rate of comfort alone with yourself.
- Lack of need to constantly communicate with people.
- Dislike for noisy and crowded places.
- High degree of self-control.
- Silence and inner discretion, analyticity.
- A kind of alienation. A person, as it were, is in a company and communicates with everyone, but his thoughts are somewhere far away.
- An introvert needs retreat.
How do we handle energy
Before answering the question of whether an extrovert can become an introvert, it is worth understanding how these two types get their vitality. This is a key point in this task, otherwise all the arguments of psychologists will seem unfounded to you. Well, an extrovert is a person who seems to throw everything out. A bright personality who does not get tired to shock the audience and be in the spotlight. Why? Only introverts can ask such a question, as extroverts understand that it is this “epicenter of attention” that allows us to get the maximum amount of vital energy. Every joke that others have noticed is an incentive for a new joke, and next time, perhaps, a la dance or song, which the extrovert will perform himself. Everyone will listen, laugh and applaud, thus recharging the person.
For the introvert, this behavior is fatal. Once it has become the center of attention, it is completely discharged, and then hastily retires to "its room" to sit there and again, thinking and flying in the clouds, restore its energy balance. After such a retreat, a person again comes out into the world, studies it carefully, and can spend a certain amount of accumulated energy on communication with an interesting person.
Do we choose?
For a long time, the question: "Can an extrovert become an introvert?" was rhetorical, and this was the right state of things. The fact is that our psychological type in this category is formed in the first years of life. It does not depend on the environment, communication with parents and other external factors. We can say that this is a lottery in which each child pulls his barrel, and then how lucky. In most cases, this type of temperament for a person is fixed for life, as well as the color of the eyes, skin, hair and other characteristics. It is extremely rare that an extrovert can become an introvert, and vice versa, but it will not be your will at all, but some kind of sharp change in your environment - moving, psychological trauma, family ups and downs and so on.
How does this happen?
Most often, the reason for the change in temperament is precisely the negative psychological experience. Rarely, a simple move, even overseas, can break a person so badly. Yes, he will become more inquisitive, but this does not mean that he will change his internal system. For all this, it is worth emphasizing that after an “injury” you can become an extrovert as an introvert, and vice versa. In the first case, a function called "mask" is triggered. For all I am cheerful, resourceful, funny, I myself like all this - to walk, get to know, communicate, have fun. But returning home, such a person, being unable to completely overcome his nature, will spend days sitting at the window and sorting out his thoughts and memories under one. Believe me, no one will ever see or recognize this. The second case is a withdrawal into oneself. Just say that the reverse transformation for a person is simpler, since you do not need to hold a mask. And for yourself and for the public you are no longer a merry fellow, but a recluse. But at the same time, "former extroverts" do not delve into their thoughts, but simply grieve, completely cutting themselves off from the former pattern of life.
At my command!
It turns out that you can’t change your type of temperament on your own and just like that, if you wish. You are so arranged - to receive energy in one way or another, and if you try to break these rules, you will immediately begin to feel at ease. The answer of psychologists to the question of whether it is possible to become an extrovert from an introvert is negative. This is unnatural, abnormal, and not at all necessary. After all, every person, whether he is a buffoon or a recluse, is beautiful in his own way, unique, individual and interesting.
Ambivert
A relatively new term in psychology, which is the definition of the average between an introvert and an extrovert. A person who can consume energy, communicating with other people if they are interesting to him, and at the same time he will feel good alone with himself, in the event that the company at the moment was inappropriate, or simply because he so wanted. Ambiverts are the most mobile people who perfectly adapt to circumstances, can maneuver in the cycle of their life rhythm, make excellent acquaintances, but do not forget to think about each step.
Conclusion
Each psychological type is special and attractive in its own way. Therefore, it is foolish to ask about whether an introvert can become an extrovert, and dialing - we absolutely do not need it. Extroverts are bright and progressive personalities. They build excellent connections in society, always have a lot of acquaintances, are in the know about all the events and new products. You will not get bored with such people - they will amuse you, cheer you up even on a rainy day, and make you laugh. An introvert is an extremely mysterious person. Always flies in the clouds, ponders something, dreams. A detached and mysterious person who can reveal himself only if you enter trust in him. But the most unusual is when an introvert and an extrovert are intertwined in one personality. The average between them is a reasonable balance. A person knows when to show activity, and when it is best to close in an apartment and think it over. Such people are analysts, creators and dreamers all rolled into one.