Who is happier: extroverts or introverts?

In this article, we have argued for both temperament types. It turned out to be fun. But before reading, subscribe to our Telegram channel. We often publish such exciting articles.

Who are you? Determine your personality type

Before identifying who lives happier, let’s remember who are introverts and extroverts.

The terms “introversion” and “extraversion” were coined by Jung.

An extrovert is a person whose mental warehouse is turned mainly to the objects of the external world.

Extroverts are sociable; they have many friends (friends of friends, acquaintances, buddies). They are impulsive, assertive, and emotional. Often they live one day and embark on adventures.

An introvert is a person whose mental makeup is characterized by focusing on his inner world, isolation, and contemplation.

Introverts are uncommunicative (only a narrow circle of the closest), secretive, and constrained in communication. To many, this behavior style seems gloomy and even evil.

Psychologists say there are no extroverts and introverts “in their pure form,” but they are directed to the external and internal world. Special tests will help. As a bonus, artificial intelligence will list the most suitable professions for you. The accuracy of the test Menteora is 70-80% (read about Menteora's unique career guidance methodology).

Extroverts on the Hook of Happiness

Dutch scientists Wido Oerlemans and Arnold Bakker conducted an experiment in which 1,300 people participated. The scientists asked them to keep a diary describing their daily lives. Scientists collected about 5,600 days (each participant kept a diary for 4-5 days) and about 14,000 activities.

It turned out that extroverts are no different from introverts during the holidays, when they have fun, communicate with interesting people, or do what they love. But when the routine begins, the situation changes dramatically.

Cleaning, sorting mail, and other uninteresting, dull, or complex tasks discourage introverts. And when you consider how much time these things take in our lives, introverts’ happiness level leaves much to be desired.

Extroverts, on the other hand, are rewarded. What will I get if I clean my apartment? Purity! Health! An extrovert, in all routine matters, seeks profit for himself.

It turns out extroverts are happier in more situations, activities, and life. Wido Oerlemans made this conclusion. Read What you need to know when entering into a relationship with an extrovert.

The Quiet Happiness of an Introvert

But former corporate lawyer and best-selling author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking (Susan Cain) says it’s worth understanding happiness before claiming extroverts are happier. After all, it is very individual.

Cain agrees that rewards are more critical to extroverts and give them an influx of positive emotions. But, in her opinion, happiness is often mistakenly associated with euphoria.

There is a bias in many cultures that views happiness as a state of “activity” (excitement, arousal) instead of happiness as peace and contentment.

According to Cain, introverts are more thoughtful natures. For an extrovert, there is often only “black or white” (the food was either tasty or not; the musicians played either well or not), then introverts distinguish details. They may not feel momentary happiness, but subsequent detailed analysis of the situation allows them to summarize whether this or that experience was positive or negative.

In addition, introverts and extroverts have quite different perceptions of routine. Introverts have their sources of energy. For extroverts, activities such as reading, walking, and “homework” with children are often dull to death; for introverts — they are a pleasant leisurely pastime.

Following a lifestyle that suits your needs makes your life happier.

There is no unity among happier scientists — extroverts or introverts. Read Happiness formula.

Take the Menteora career guidance test; artificial intelligence will name your most suitable professions. The accuracy of the test is 70-80% because we use a mathematical-statistical algorithm (read about Menteora's unique career guidance methodology).