Introversion and Extraversion

Copyright 2002 by Milton Moore

 This site is also in Spanish

Introduction

Jung spent over twenty years formulating his thoughts on typology before publishing "Psychological Types" in 1921(7). This classic work was based on his observations of the manner in which members of many cultures (civilized or primitive) approached various situations. He coined the terms extraversion and introversion to describe how we act upon or react to people and objects in our environment -- the way in which we are energized. He also identified four mental functions to represent our preferences for obtaining information (Sensing and Intuiting) and for deciding or judging what to do with it (Thinking and Feeling). Jung believed that the pattern of attitudes and functions are based on innate factors and that the resultant behavior is even evident in newborns.  Parents can usually see personality characteristics in their child soon after birth and they often remark that their child is active, restless, quiet, passive, etc.  Jung stated:

"Introversion and extraversion, as a typical attitude, means an essential bias which conditions the whole psychic process, establishes the habitual reactions, and thus not only establishes the style of behavior, but also the nature of subjective experience. And not only so, but it also denotes the kind of compensatory activity of the unconscious which we may expect to find."                                                                                     (Jung 1933:86)

Extraverts see an objective world consisting of people and external events, particularly those in their immediate environment -- and they act out on their world.  Introverts feel more attuned to their subjective, internal world, which is not directly observable by others (and sometimes not even to themselves).  They react to the external world.  Extraverts expend and propagate themselves in every way, while introverts tend to conserve and defend themselves against all outer demands. While we alternate between the two attitudes at various times, one normally predominates. The two attitudes cannot exist simultaneously in consciousness; when we are behaving outwardly in an extravertive manner, our introvertive side will be operating in the unconscious (out of awareness). The more extreme or one-sided one attitude is in our outward conscious behavior, the more primitive and less developed the other will be in our unconscious.  

Extraversion

Strong extraverts have a great deal of energy and are stimulated by either objects or people; they think in terms of how they can affect others and the situation.  Extraverts are sociable, open to new impressions, are willing to try new experiences and take risks. They can be so outer directed that their bodies and psyches are often neglected.  While they may heed the body's warnings to slow down, they are usually not aware of the psyche's imbalance. Jung felt that extreme extraversion led to hysteria.  I would think that this is especially true with Feeling Extraverts.

Their morality usually coincides with the demands of society and if society changes, they will also change (without changing their own general psychological make-up or habits). Extraverts express what is felt and the stronger their feelings the stronger their need to express them.  They are more prone to midlife crises than their introvertive counterparts because they have difficulty looking within during later years when introspection is not only helpful, but may be a key factor when retiring from work or other long-term involvement.

While extraverts can be sociable, friendly, and charming, they can also be blatant, noisy, loud, and aggressive. They can be either helpful or attentive or intrusive and bullying.  The analyst will have to consider all indicators in the script to determine whether the writer is apt to behave in a negative or positive manner.  One's maturity level (or individuation as Jung would say) has much to do with desirable behavior.

Extraverts admire introverts for their detachment, reserve, and serious intensity.  This is especially true in how they view the opposite sex since these qualities suggest emotional depth and strength. The introvert is an attentive, noncompetitive companion for the extravert -- one who will not interfere in the affairs of others (at least openly).

Extraverts dislike the introvert's lack of animation, which often seems cheerless and indecisive. They also accuse the introvert of breaking contact, of retreating behind a wall and of being inaccessible when problems arise and it's time to "clear the air." 

Introversion

While extraverts are energized by their external environment and ask how they can affect objects, people, and situations, introverts conserve energy and ask how the outside world affects them. Their energy is depleted by too much external activity.  They find their greatest pleasure in introspection; however, they often miss the excitement of meeting new people and of experiencing new situations. They can also become so entrenched in their inner world that they lose themselves in their dreams, fantasies, and unrealistic theories.

Introverts have an inherent continuity that makes them independent of momentary outer fads.  With their power of concentration, they are able to ignore distractions.  They go deep into their work and are reluctant to call it finished. They tend to give conclusions without providing the details of what they did (impersonal brevity).  This saves them from external demands and allows them to return to the next project, but it often denies them fame or recognition.  Since they tend to be inner motivated and are not too affected by lack of encouragement, they make good pioneers. They are closer to "eternal truths" than their extravertive counterparts who have more "worldly wisdom." (Malone 1977:56)

Jung felt that introversion taken to an extreme led to neurasthenia -- a type of neurosis characterized by fatigue, exhaustion, low energy, and anxiety.  Ania Teillard noted that the introvert's lack of contact with the outside world caused an exaggeration of the inner one and, taken to the extreme, led to schizophrenia (Teillard 1974:76).

Introverts enjoy extraverts for their warmth, animation, and freedom to express their emotions. They appreciate their wide range of interests and admire their ability to enter into relationships with ease. They object to extraverts who intrude, meddle, exaggerate, talk too much, give unwanted advice, and ask personal questions. They often see the extravert as being emotionally superficial and lacking an inner intensity.

Ideally, we blend the two attitudes as we interact with our environment.  Our extravertive side lets us experience the objective world where we feed our subjective nature.  Our introvertive nature not only keeps us from exhausting ourselves and from trying to act out on everything in our external world, it also lets us experience the subjective world within. 

Indicators of the Attitudes

The tables below indicates the graphological indicators associated with extraversion and introversion. The writer's primary attitude is usually evident from the writing movement and the use of space. The extravert's script has a predominant rightward trend and takes up more space (i.e., size, and horizontal expansion of letter width and letter spacing) -- sometimes to the point of being invasive.   The introvert spaces his words and lines wider than copybook, but, with a smaller size and a decreased horizontal expansion, he often gets more words on the page.  The extravert, being more sociable and outgoing, is likely to have more curves and fuller forms, while the introvert may have more angles and narrow forms (or prefer printing). Many people have a balance between these two attitudes and so you will find indicators for both in the writing.

Indicators of Extraversion and Introversion

Nearly 25 years ago, I obtained a group of samples written by 6th grade students for a school assignment. I was particularly impressed with the two contrasting samples illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, which seems to support Jung's view that temperaments are innate and expressed at an early age. There is little doubt that these two boys are at opposite ends of the introversion and extraversion scales. Both samples were written on 8 1/2 x 11 paper.

Figure 1.

The introvert's tiny script was placed in the upper left corner of his page; the title "Sharks" was approximately 1/8" from the top of the page.  His minute, legible script contains twice as many words per line in less than three inches as his extravertive counterpart does in the entire width of the page. This reflects an amazing degree of conservation, concentration and withdrawal.

Figure 2 Extroverted Slant

The extravert's large, sprawling, angular script filled the entire page, from margin to margin. Using all of the space, this young student not only acts out on his paper "environment," he attacks it with vigor in an intrusive manner.  When I use these samples to introduce graphology, the audience has no trouble identifying extraversion and introversion -- or which child is likely to be quiet and withdrawn, or very active and disruptive, or attentive or easily distracted, or a good or poor student.  Two samples such as these speak volumes and make a convincing case for graphology.

Figure 3 Balance of Attitudes

Of course, most samples do not provide such an extreme contrast.  Most writers will fall somewhere between the two extremes and many will be fairly balanced. In many scripts the handwriting indicators are so divided between the two attitudes that it is difficult to identify a dominant preference. The sample in Figure 3 is balanced in many ways. The spacing, simplification, and slant of R's handwriting point toward introversion, while the tempo, letter width and spacing, and letterforms indicate extraversion. He enjoys the opportunity to interact with and influence his environment as well as the time to reflect upon how people and situations affect him. This college dean has a high form level script, which indicates superior intelligence, social grace, and an excellent balance between his inner self and outer persona.  In the synthesis, it would be appropriate to note this harmonious balance and his high degree of integration or, as Jung would say, individuation.

Conclusion

It is beyond the scope of this paper to cover the entire Jungian (or Myers Briggs) typology; however, the bibliography provides references for those interested in pursuing the subject further. It and the materials in this paper are taken from the  monograph, "Identifying Jungian and MBTI Types Through Handwriting Analysis," (Moore2002).   To fully appreciate Jung's typology, you should be familiar with the four functions mentioned above and to have a basic understanding of how his typology fits in his overall theory of personality.  Calvin Hall (1973) covers this simply in his book "A Primer of Jungian Psychology." I also recommend that you become familiar with the wealth of information regarding the 16 Myers Briggs Types. Isabel Briggs Myers built upon Jung's work to construct the MBTI, one of the most widely used personality profiles available today. The bibliography has several references regarding this typology.

References

Gille-Maisani  Dr. Jean-Charles (1992). The Psychology of Handwriting. London: Scriptor Books,

Gille-Maisani  Dr. Jean-Charles (1995)Poet's Handwritings.  London: Scriptor Books, 1995.

Gullan-Whur, Margaret (1993) Discover Graphology. NY: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.,

Hall, Calvin S. and Vernon J. Nordby. (1973) A Primer of Jungian Psychology.  NY: New American Library

Hearns, Rudolph S. (1973) Handwriting, An Analysis Through Its Symbolism. 2^nd Edition. American Association of Handwriting Analysts, Hirsh, Sandra and Jean Kummerow.  (1989)Life Types. NY: Warner Books

Jung, Carl G.  (1971) Psychological Types. Princeton:  Princeton University Press,

Jung, Carl G.  (1933)Modern Man In Search Of A Soul. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich

Keirsey, David and Marilyn Bates (1978) Please Understand Me. Del Mar: Prometheus Nemesis,

Kroeger, Otto and Janet M. Thuesen (1988) Type Talk.  NY: Delacorte Press, .

Kroeger, Otto and Janet M. Thuesen (1992)Type Talk at Work.  NY: Dell Publishing

Malone, Michael. (1977) Psychetypes. NY: E. P. Dutton and Company

Moore M (2002)  Identifying Jungian and MBTI Types Through Handwriting Analysis

Myers, Isabel Briggs with Peter B. Myers. (1980) Gifts Differing. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychological Press

Myers, Isabel Briggs and Mary H. McCaulley. (1985) Manual: A Guide to the Development and Use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.  Palo Alto: Consulting Psychological Press,

Myers, Isabel Briggs. (1998) Introduction to Type. 6^th Edition. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychological Press,

Nezos, Renna. (1986) Graphology. London: Rider & Co.,

Sevilla, Sister Mary. (1996)Relationships Between Handwriting Analysis and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator in Assessing Personality. Partial Fulfillment of Ph.D, Marriage, Family and Child Therapy.  California Graduate Institute,

Teillard, Ania.  (1974) Graphology Based on Analytical Psychology.  Translated by Ed O'Neill,

Tieger, Paul D. and Barbara Barron-Tieger (1992)Do What You Are.  NY: Little, Brown and Co.

Internet Sites  

http://typologic.com    Good descriptions of the 16 MBTI types.

www.personalitytype.com.  Good site by Barbara and Paul Tieger (see book above).

www.typeworks.com.  Info from Otto Kroeger (see book above).

www.aptcentral.org.  Association for Psychological Types

www.personality-project.org.  Good for all aspects of personality theories.

www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/perscontents.html.  Great site for theories, including Jung.

www.wynja.com/giganto/psych/theorists.html.  Good description of various theories.

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp.  MBTI personality test.

Notes

1.         Milton Moore has studied graphology since 1966 and was certified by the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation in 1976. He served as AHAF president for four years (76-80). He was a co-director of the Council of Graphological Societies from 1980 to 1983. He was editor of the AHAF Journal for two years (1995-96). Milt has given numerous presentations at COGS, AHAF, AAHA, and Vanguard conferences during the past 25 years. He has written three monographs: Identifying Jungian and MBTI Types Through Handwriting Analysis, Energy in the Script, and Handwriting Measurements. Milt was a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force and retired in 1979 with 26 years of service. He has a Bachelor's degree (Military Science) and two Master's degrees (Guidance and Counseling, Human Relations and Supervision). He resides in Charlottesville, Virginia.

2.         To order the monograph, "Identifying Jungian and MBTI Types Through Handwriting Analysis," (Copyright 2002).   contact the author by Email:  MiltMoore@aol.com

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