The process of obtaining psychic energy by a person is the basis of his temperament and character. On this basis, introverts and extroverts are distinguished. We are familiar with these terms from the school bench, but we cannot always rationally apply them in real life - in relation 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.
Interpreting terms
Let's start, perhaps, with a brighter one. An extrovert is a person who is primarily aimed at communicating with society. He never sits still, he is always in search of something new, interesting, bright. Often makes acquaintances, is the initiator of events, and in those started by other personalities, takesActive participation. An extrovert easily forgets insults and even those people who caused them to him. He seems to throw out all his thoughts and emotions, not embarrassed by anyone or anything. This moment is also key in self-expression - people immediately understand what they are and who a particular extrovert is.
The definition of an introvert is the opposite of the type just described above. Such people are focused on themselves, or rather, inward. They constantly think, analyze, dream, think about 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 an introvert is always trying to avoid. They do not play for the audience, they 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 alone for a long time.
Comparing concepts
Obviously, what is 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 will simply give a scale of the qualities of the first and second. So, extroverts have:
- Striving for regular communication with other people.
- Craving for mass events and large crowds.
- The need for constant attention from everyone - both loved ones and outsiders.
- Weakened control over their own emotions. Such people are extremely unstable, they are characterized by outbursts of anger, rage, crying or laughter, and all this can change within half an hour or less.
- A huge amount of vitality and strength.
Here are the qualities that introverts can boast of:
- Highly comfortable being alone.
- No need to constantly communicate with people.
- Dislike noisy and crowded places.
- High degree of self-control.
- Silence and inner prudence, analyticity.
- A kind of aloofness. The person seems to be in a company and communicates with everyone, but his thoughts are somewhere far away.
- An introvert needs retreat.
How 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 the key point in this task, otherwise all the arguments of psychologists will seem unreasonable to you. Well, an extrovert is a person who seems to throw everything out. A bright personality who does not get tired of shocking the audience and being in the spotlight. Why? Only introverts can ask such a question, as extroverts understand that it is this "epicenter of attention" that allows them to get the maximum amount of vital energy. Every joke that others pay attention to is an incentive toa new joke, and the next time, perhaps, to a la dance or a song that the extrovert will perform himself. Everyone will listen, laugh and applaud, thus recharging the person.
For an introvert, this behavior is detrimental. Once becoming the center of attention, he is completely discharged, and then hastily retires to "his room" to sit there and again, thinking and flying in the clouds, restore his energy balance. After such seclusion, a person again goes out into the world, studies it carefully, and can spend a certain amount of accumulated energy on communicating with an interesting person.
Do we choose?
The long time question: "Can an extrovert become an introvert?" was rhetorical, and that was the right state of affairs. 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 as lucky. In most cases, this type of temperament is fixed for a person for life, as is the color of eyes, skin, hair and other characteristics. It is extremely rare for an extrovert to become an introvert and vice versa, but it will not be your will at all, but some kind of abrupt change in your environment - moving, psychological trauma, family ups and downs, and so on.
How is this happening?
Most often, the reason for a change in temperament is precisely a negative psychological experience. Rarely a simple move, even forthe ocean can break a person so much. Yes, he will become more inquisitive, but this does not mean at all that he will change his inner structure. With all this, it is worth emphasizing that after a "trauma" it is possible for an introvert to become an extrovert, and vice versa. In the first case, a function called "mask" is triggered. For everyone, I am cheerful, resourceful, funny, I myself like all this - walking, getting to know each other, chatting, having fun. But returning home, such a person, being unable to completely overcome his nature, will sit at the window for days and go over his thoughts and memories under one. Believe me, no one will ever see or know this. The second case is self-care. Let's say right away 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 on your own and just like that, at will, you can’t change your type of temperament in any way. 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 like you are out of your element. The answer of psychologists to the question of whether it is possible to become an extrovert from an introvert is negative. It's unnatural, abnormal, and not necessary at all. After all, every person, whether he is a jester or a recluse,beautiful, unique, individual and interesting in its own way.
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 by communicating with other people if they are interesting to him, and at the same time he will feel good alone with himself, in case the company at the moment turned out to be inappropriate, or simply because he felt like it. Ambiverts are the most mobile people who adapt perfectly to circumstances, can maneuver in the cycle of life, make excellent acquaintances, but do not forget to think over every step.
Conclusion
Each psychological type is special and attractive in its own way. Therefore, it is silly to ask whether an introvert can become an extrovert, and vice versa - we absolutely do not need this. Extroverts are bright and progressive personalities. They build excellent ties in society, always have a lot of acquaintances, are aware of all events and new products. You won’t get bored with these - they will cheer you up, cheer you up even on a rainy day, make you laugh. An introvert is an extremely mysterious person. He always flies in the clouds, thinks about something, dreams. A detached and mysterious person who can only open up if you enter into his confidence. But the most unusual thing is when an introvert and an extrovert are intertwined in one person. The middle ground between the two is a reasonable balance. A person knows when it is worth being active, and when it is best to close in an apartment and think everything over. Such people are analysts, creatives and dreamers rolled into one.