2 Types of Extroverts

Now that I have addressed introverts in my previous article, I would like to touch on the subject of extroverts. Also known as the social butterflies. The ones that are outgoing and fun to be around. Most extroverts happen to be good with interaction and socializing with other people.

Their ability to do so can bring a sense of ease and comfort. Extroverts have no problem meeting new people and attending gatherings/social events that may occur, but this does not mean they are against being alone at times.

An extrovert's energy reveals itself the moment they walk into a room. Body movements and facial expressions are presented, along with the tone in how they speak. When I am around extroverts, I often feel this feeling of warmth. I feel comfortable and able to be myself around them most of the time.

Erica Grodin and Tara White of Brown University discovered a new way to define extroverts by performing a study on 83 participants. In the process of doing so, a personality test was fulfilled through an MRI machine to observe extroverts from different regions of the brain. Here is what the two types consisted of:

1. Agentic Extrovert

Agentic extroverts are outgoing and determined to go after what they desire. They are persistent with their goals and focus on achieving their very best at things. Their ambitious behavior is what keeps them focused and not likely to give up. These types of extroverts are more goal oriented. Agentic extroverts don’t mind taking on a leadership role if they were given the chance.

2. Affiliative Extrovert

An affiliative extrovert is tied to social warmth and friendship. This type of extrovert is more on the affectionate side. These types of people enjoy building meaningful bonds and having a larger group of friends. Affiliative extroverts don’t mind growing close to others because it makes them feel happy. Their sweet affection and enthusiasm can build long-term social connections in the world.

The Common Misconceptions Of Extroverts Addressed

Extroverts Are Attention Seekers

Extroverts are seen as the center of attention because they know how to welcome the attention of others. Most of the time this happens naturally without forcing anything. They are just being themselves. Their ability to openly speak can keep listeners engaged in what they’re saying along with others being fascinated to know more about them.

Gaining this type of attention can be helpful in extroverts expressing themselves. It’s not so much about the attention they receive but more so about the people, they get to be around. If we’re speaking logically though, I think we all crave to be listened to, looked at, or spoken to whether that’s from one person or a large audience. Even if we don’t always want to indulge in it, it does happen.

Extroverts Are Always Happy And Confident

Extroverts are known to be upbeat and filled with energy, especially around other people. This can easily be mistaken for being bright/cheery all the time. I completely understand this struggle as being seen as a “positive” person all the time without regard to understanding that the happiest people can be emotionally down too. Extroverts experience their low points just as anyone else would. There’s a chance they may be better at hiding it or just prefer to not be a downer when surrounded by other people.

Confidence is a great trait to have, but not even extroverts are always confident. Uncertainty lies in all of us every once in a while, and self-doubts do come around. Whether we want to believe it or not.

Extroverts Don't Listen And Are Shallow

The stereotype of extroverts not listening is based on extroverts being good at talking to others but not paying attention well. None of this can justify whether an extrovert is a good listener or not. This will ultimately depend on someone’s listening skills and communication skills.

Extroverts happen to be people-oriented so if they want to listen, they will. This is still considered a form of interaction and engagement. Without the dialogue or context of another person would be a pointless conversation to entertain if it is just centered around one individual. Building any connection requires the work of two people and they are aware of that.

The shallowness of an extrovert is also a stereotype. Some extroverts happen to dwell on the surface, while some happen to be deep thinkers. Subconsciously extroverts may think differently in a way that is seen as having little depth or no meaning, but this is a misunderstanding that should be questioned.

I’ve been around many extroverts that happened to be more on the deeper side of things, but the depth of a person should never be compared to their significance. To be shallow is seen in a series of ways by each person and will not depend upon an extrovert. As any person, we pick who we want to be in detail with and who we don’t want to be in detail with. The deepness of a person will depend on the type of bond that is formed.

Extroverts Don't Need Time To Recharge Themselves/Like To Be Alone

This assumption is based on how extroverts attract themselves to people. Extroverts may seem like they are around people 24/7, but this is not always the case. Just because they aren't seen alone does not mean that they don't have quality time to themselves. Recharging oneself can be performed in different ways. Like any other human being rest and time apart from others is necessary. Some people may need more time alone while others may need less.

For extroverts, dominating too much time alone can be a challenge because their energy is drawn from the people, they’re surrounded by along with the activities they partake in. Although this is known to be correct, it’s not impossible to be alone but if extroverts had to choose, it would be being around others.

If any of us were to be alone 24/7 or around people 24/7, we might just die of overwhelming stress or depression. Carl Jung a psychiatrist mentioned that there is no such thing as a pure introvert or extrovert. Such a person would be in a lunatic asylum.

So, no matter how much we think we’re strictly one way can be expanded into different components. This is also why a much broader approach was put in place known as an ambivert. Which involves a combination of introversion and extroversion. Truthfully, I think we all happen to be ambiverts most of the time than we fully realize. There are a lot of gray areas in these personality theories that only make up for a small piece of who a person is and can be evolved into something way bigger overtime.

We are not limited by our characteristics, personality traits, or theories, it is all in our mentalities.