What is extraversion?

Extraversion is one of the five traits in the Big Five model of personality. It’s about how much time with people gives you energy. We call it social energy.

Is it bad to be high or low in extraversion?

No. It’s a tendency, not a verdict, and each end gives something and can cost something. Someone higher in it often comes alive around people and starts the conversation. Someone lower often prefers one or two people at a time, and needs quiet afterwards.

What does research link extraversion to?

Across many studies, more extraverted people tend to report more positive feelings. Source: Steel, Schmidt & Shultz (2008), Psychological Bulletin.

Can extraversion change?

Traits tend to move slowly. On average, one side of it, social confidence, rises between about 20 and 40. The other side, social vitality, rises in the teenage years and dips in old age. Source: Roberts, Walton & Viechtbauer (2006), Psychological Bulletin. Scores can also move a little from one day to the next, so a quiz shows how you answered now.

Social energy

Researchers call it extraversion.

How much time with people gives you energy.

Recharges aloneRecharges with people

Very lowLowIn the middleHighVery high

Types with Social energy as a strong trait

From one end to the other

Higher

Feeling more like yourself after a night out than after a night in.

With people: Comes alive around people and starts the conversation.
At school or work: Likes talking things through, group work and busy places.
When things get hard: Reaches out and talks it through.

Gives: You can warm up a room that’s gone quiet.
Can cost: A weekend with no plans can feel flat, even when you needed the rest.

Lower

Needing a quiet evening alone after a busy day with people.

With people: Prefers one or two people at a time, and needs quiet afterwards.
At school or work: Does their best thinking alone, with time to prepare.
When things get hard: Goes quiet and sorts it out alone first.

Gives: You’re comfortable in your own company.
Can cost: People can read your quiet as distance when it’s rest.

In the middleWanting people some weeks and your own space other weeks.

What research links it to

Across many studies, more extraverted people tend to report more positive feelings.
Steel, Schmidt & Shultz (2008), Psychological Bulletin
Following 205 students through their first year at university, researchers found the more extraverted ones tended to pick more friends.
Selfhout et al. (2010), Journal of Personality
Across 73 samples, extraversion was the trait most consistently linked to leadership, both to becoming the leader and to leading well.
Judge, Bono, Ilies & Gerhardt (2002), Journal of Applied Psychology
Across 165 samples, more extraverted people tended to cope with stress by working on the problem, looking at it in a new light and reaching out for support.
Connor-Smith & Flachsbart (2007), Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

How it changes over time

On average, one side of it, social confidence, rises between about 20 and 40. The other side, social vitality, rises in the teenage years and dips in old age.

Roberts, Walton & Viechtbauer (2006), Psychological Bulletin

Questions people ask

What is extraversion?: Extraversion is one of the five traits in the Big Five model of personality. It’s about how much time with people gives you energy. We call it social energy.
Is it bad to be high or low in extraversion?: No. It’s a tendency, not a verdict, and each end gives something and can cost something. Someone higher in it often comes alive around people and starts the conversation. Someone lower often prefers one or two people at a time, and needs quiet afterwards.
What does research link extraversion to?: Across many studies, more extraverted people tend to report more positive feelings. Source: Steel, Schmidt & Shultz (2008), Psychological Bulletin.
Can extraversion change?: Traits tend to move slowly. On average, one side of it, social confidence, rises between about 20 and 40. The other side, social vitality, rises in the teenage years and dips in old age. Source: Roberts, Walton & Viechtbauer (2006), Psychological Bulletin. Scores can also move a little from one day to the next, so a quiz shows how you answered now.