Extraversion-Introversion, what do they mean?

What do these two terms mean?

We use or hear them frequently to refer to the characteristics of certain people. Being extraverted is associated with being sociable, active in the outside world. Being an introvert is associated with reserve, passivity, and loneliness.

In our western society being extraverted is seen as a strength, and introversion as a weakness. Because of this, introverted people are often ashamed of being so, and in many cases blame themselves for not being able to be more of an extraverted type.

In Eastern culture, for example, introversion is valued. The contemplative and meditative attitude is a symbol of wisdom, and those who have a great capacity to do so are respected and even venerated.

It is important to understand that there is no "good" to the detriment of the other. Both features are valuable.

Extraversion and introversion are just predominant ways of directing our psychic energy. If we do it frequently by depositing it on people and objects in the outside world, we will be more of an extraverted type. If, on the contrary, we tend to deposit that energy frequently in our internal world, paying attention to thoughts, intuitions, sensations, images, developing the imagination, we will be more of an introverted type.

Carl C. Jung is the one who conceptualized and developed much on this topic. For Jung, Extraversion-Introversion is a pair of opposites. We are not one or the other, but we all have both but in different proportions. The more developed one is, the more hidden and unconscious the other will remain.

Depending on the moment of life in which we are, this can potentially be transformed. There are situations that demand more action from us in the external world, make decisions, and solve problems. And there are others that require a more reflective attitude from us, being able to attend to what happens in our internal world.

Throughout life, we ​​will have to go through situations directing our energy in the way that is necessary. However, we always tend to predominance one of them. It is very important to keep in mind that both give us great potential. The challenge is to be able to become aware of this, to be able to balance at the right time.

If the extrovert never looks inward or reflects on himself, he may fall into pure empty action, having no connection to his inner world. In the same way, if someone who is introverted never goes out into the outside world, everything he works on will be contained without being able to communicate or express himself to others.

The more unilateral the experience, the more the psyche will try to compensate for this disparity, manifesting in dreams or images that aspect that has been hidden or relegated. By recognizing both faces, we allow the development and integration of aspects that we did not believe we had, balancing our experiences much more.

Both extraversion and introversion are necessary for life. One allows us to work on our deepest aspects and learn about the mechanisms of our psyche and our unconscious. The other allows us to act in the world, communicate, connect with others and carry out projects and ideas. Being aware of this allows us to recognize what we have spontaneously, be able to value it, and at the same time, allows us to work on what is most hidden or repressed.

 

 

Thank You