Extraversion

A psychological term formulated by Carl Jung in his book Psychological Types to describe the flow of psychic energy toward the outer world of people and things or “object.” The word extraversion comes from the Latin words extra and vertere, meaning to turn outward. Jung theorized extraversion and its opposite, introversion, as two fundamental, innate, and equally valid attitudes of people toward the outer world. Extraversion and introversion describe theoretical polarities on a continuum, with all persons using some degree of both attitudes in reality. Jung defined extraversion as a movement of psychic energy, or libido, outward from the subject to the object, with one’s energy and interest being drawn as if by magnetic force from oneself to the outside world. People with a preference for extraversion both use and renew their energy by focusing outward and can feel drained by too much time alone or in reflection. Some general characteristics of an extraverted attitude include...