extroversion

Extroversion is the state or quality of being an extrovert—someone said to have a personality type that is social and outgoing.

Extroversion is often contrasted with introversion (the state or quality of being an introvert) in the study, classification, and popular discussion of personality types.

Extroverts enjoy being around other people and tend to focus on the outside world, while introverts are the opposite—they prefer solitude and tend to focus on their own thoughts. Someone who displays extroversion can be described as extroverted.

Less commonly, the word can be spelled extraversion.

Example: Giovanni’s extroversion drew everyone in the room to him—he was endlessly outgoing.

The first records of extroversion (and extrovert) come from the 1600s—around the same as introvert and introversion. These terms precede online personality quizzes by about 400 years, but it wasn’t until the 1900s that they began to be popularly used in the context of psychology to refer to people with certain personality types. The first part of extrovert is a variation of the prefix extra- (hence the variant spelling extravert), meaning “outside,” and the Latin vertere, meaning “to turn” (as in invert). Etymologically, introverts turn inward and extroverts turn outward.

While introverts are turning in for the night, extroverts are turning up at parties (and often texting their introvert friends to see if they’re coming). The concept of personality types like extrovert and introvert (among others) was developed by psychologist Carl Jung in the early 1900s. He described extroversion as generally involving responsiveness to other people, aggressiveness, and the ability to be quick with decision making. Extroverts thrive around other people, while introverts are thought to do best in familiar environments with less social uncertainty. Displaying extroversion is often seen as desirable. Though some people are highly extroverted, many personality type theories state that most people have at least some elements of introversion and extroversion.

What are some other forms related to extroversion?

• extrovert (noun)
• extroverted (adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with extroversion? 

• introversion
• introvert
• ambivert
• extra

What are some words that often get used in discussing extroversion?

• outgoing
• social
• friendly
• talkative
• gregarious
• social butterfly
• personality
• type
• psychology

Extroversion is often used in the context of personality tests that claim to be able to tell you what kind of personality type you are.

A lot of people confuse extroversion with confidence. They are not the same thing.

You can be a confident introvert. You can be an insecure extrovert. And either can change over time.

— nyla (@nylaLXD) May 29, 2020

My extroversion is blatant. Anyone who knows me, knows that.. I don’t have trouble speaking to anybody about anything. What’s on my mind is what’s in my heart and it doesn’t reside there for long.. (1/2)

— marco (@marcomiacosa) May 27, 2020

Even with their moments of introspection, previous 1975 albums were feats of extroversion. But “Notes on a Conditional Form” seems to be reaching for something more youthful, innocent and even private. https://t.co/j0B4y1dZ30

— New York Times Music (@nytimesmusic) May 29, 2020

Which of the following words is LEAST likely to be used to describe someone who displays extroversion?

A. outgoing
B. affable
C. gregarious
D. reserved