Introduction
Studies show that extroverts are happier than introverts. Experts noted that extroverts not only feel no difficulty in forming relationships with others, but also can maintain relationships more continuously, and explain that this sociality helps to improve happiness. Personality is innate, but it also changes with living environment or effort. Therefore, let’s check the correlation between extroversion and happiness, and find out what aspects of extroversion should be learned to be happy.
Trait; Introversion and Extraversion
Traits can be divided into two dimensions, introversion, and extraversion.
Introversion
Introversion is a trait that uses one’s own energy for inner thoughts and feelings (Oxford dictionary). So, in general situations, introverts are ready to prepare to disturb situations purpose of composure. They are generally cautious, less aggressive, and try to control their emotions well (Peyman Akhavan, 2015). Introversion is a personality type that is defined as reserve, passivity, thoughtfulness, and a preference to keep emotional states private. and Introverts are comfortable when interacting in small groups and with one-on-one relationships, and normally they feel cozy by spending time alone.
Extraversion
Extraversion is a trait to be concerned with objective thought and focusing on external things(Oxford dictionary). Extroverts are willing to act first and think later (Eysenck, 1947). People who got those traits look for novelty and like to release emotions by meeting many friends and joining in meetings (Gyngell, 2000). Because they can easily access meet someone and are willing to talk and show their feelings (Doeven-Eggen etal, 2008). Extroversion is a personality type characterized by traits such as sociability, assertiveness, and cheerfulness. Extroverts are usually talkative and like to belong in a group and enjoy being the center of attention.
Although many people think only two categories exist(introversion and extroversion), ambivert can exist and it shows characteristics of both extroversion and introversion. An ambivert seemingly changes their behavior based on the situation they find themselves in. For example, they are more energetic and extroverted around close friends and family but introverted when they meet someone new or in large groups.
Very happy people
There is a research report to compare the upper 10% of consistently very happy people with average and very unhappy people. This research indicates extroverts and pleased people have in common in a social situation, they are positive about joining a social meeting and showing pleasant responses in gathering. (Ed Diener, 2002).
Also, happy people spent less time alone and more time with others than they did not, especially very happy people who spent a lot of time with family, friends, or lovers, and much more time alone with very unhappy people.
Extroverts can be seen as having higher social skills because they spend more time with others than alone. Social people like to talk to others and receive energy in meetings. People usually feel lonely when they are alone, so they consciously try to meet someone or learn something.
On the contrary, even if people like to be with others, they sometimes experience being excluded from meetings or left out. The experience of being marginalized in a group is not only a painful experience but also the same pattern of brain activity that appears when real physical pain is applied (Eisenberger, 2012). Trying to establish a relationship like this is also an effort not to be excluded. Therefore, extroverts like to meet others, so they try not to be alienated. This is because not everyone listens to what they say because they like to talk.
Acting extroverted
There are also introverts who enjoy their time alone at home rather than hanging out with people. Can these people also gain happiness from their interactions with people? Studies show that the more extroverted people act, regardless of their original personality, the more likely they are to feel positive emotions (Fleeson & Achille, 2002). In the experiment of this study, participants with a score of the bottom 20% on the extroversion scale had to participate in a total of two group discussions, one being instructed to act introverted and the other being instructed to act extroverted. The results of the experiment reported that participants felt more positive emotions when they acted extroverted. In other words, even extremely introverts become happy when they act extroverted.
Human nature: socializing with people
To summarize the above experimental results, no matter what individual personality is, our brains experience positive emotions when interacting with others. Then why do our brains love people so much? This is because the brains of all animals, including humans, eventually move with the same nature (survival and reproduction). Prior to civilization, people had to live together to survive in the wild, marry and raise children to inherit the forces, maintain and family. The period when humans started civilization and developed rapidly is extremely short in the history of human evolution. In modern times, the Internet has emerged and people can get what they want without having to face someone. Working at work has also allowed people to work from home, and the world has come where people can live without seeing anyone if they want. In this era, people who are comfortable being alone and people who like to meet someone can be clearly divided. However, regardless of whether humans are introverted or extroverted, the human brain instinctively likes to meet and be together with people and feels happy with relationships.
Conclusion
In conclusion, humans instinctively feel happiness through relationships, and therefore, the more extroverted they are, the happier they are. Korea’s Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service reported that people’s depression increased as the prolonged COVID-19 changed to a pattern of living only at home. Even a person who is comfortable being alone can feel happy by establishing a relationship. What’s clear is that you can’t be happy alone. A world that is comfortable to live alone has come, and a world that is not uncomfortable to live alone has come. In order to be happier, let’s consciously spend more time with our loved ones. Let’s meet various people and challenge and participate in what we wanted to do. The more extroverted you are, the happier you can be.
References
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Diener, Ed, and Martin E.P. Seligman. “Very Happy People.” Psychological Science, vol. 13, no. 1, Jan. 2002, pp. 81–84, 10.1111/1467-9280.00415. Accessed 14 Nov. 2022.
Eisenberger, Naomi I. “The Neural Bases of Social Pain.” Psychosomatic Medicine, vol. 74, no. 2, 2012, pp. 126–135, 10.1097/psy.0b013e3182464dd1.
Fleeson, William, et al. “An Intraindividual Process Approach to the Relationship between Extraversion and Positive Affect: Is Acting Extraverted as “Good” as Being Extraverted?” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 83, no. 6, 2002, pp. 1409–1422, 10.1037/0022-3514.83.6.1409. Accessed 16 Nov. 2022.
Guy-Evans, Olivia. “Introvert and Extrovert Personality Traits | Simply Psychology.” Www.simplypsychology.org, 9 Nov. 2020, www.simplypsychology.org/introvert-extrovert.html. Accessed 16 Nov. 2022.
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