Extraversion: The Pull Toward Interpersonal Relationships
When we turn to Carl Jung’s exploration of the personality type that he identifies as “Extraversion” we find a quite different source and use of energy and a quite different strategy for presentation of self. The Extravert is energized (not exhausted) after a day of many meetings and interpersonal engagements. On the other hand, to sit down and read a book may be exhausting, as is the time spent listening patiently to music. The dinner with a loved one is precious – but it might be even better if some other folks are invited to join in.
Breadth and Arousal
I return to another distinction I draw between Introversion and Extraversion. It concerns breadth versus depth. The Extravert is likely to reach out for diversity of perspective and practice. This person seeks to “gobble up” the world with which they are interacting. As Marti Laney (2002, p. 22) has noted, “extroverts like to experience a lot [breadth], and introverts like to know a lot about what they experience [depth].” The declaration for Extraverts is “how wide is the sky!”
Once again, we can expand on the Jungian interpretation. This gobbling up of experiences might be a result of what Hans Eysenck (Eysenck and Eysenck, 1969) suggests is the capacity of Extraverts (unlike Introverts) to take in external input. Their initial ARAS level is lower. This being the case, then Extraverts need not fear (nor buffer) stimuli that will increase the arousal level of their ARAS. They can take in the noise and views from outside. I would suggest that Extraverts might even be lacking in the level of arousal that they most desire. The Extravert might need to increase the intensity and diversity of their experiences in order to get a “high” (peak levels of arousal) from these experiences. This need for greater intensity could be addictive in nature. As an Extravert I need a bigger and more exciting business deal (transactional) or an even more intense, emotionally saturated interpersonal relationship (perhaps even an elicit “affair).
The General and Enmeshment
With regard to the general and aide, we find that the Extraverted General is standing there in front of the text. The troops are listening to the “real” thing. The aide remains in the tent and doesn’t have much to do (perhaps preparing some champagne for post-speech celebration). In real life, we are also like to find that the Extravert with whom we are relating is the “real thing.” Nothing is hidden. There is not a second (or third) personality hiding behind the personality with whom we are relating. The persona is in place without any secondary complications.
As we probe more deeply into the life of a person who leans toward Extraversion, we are likely to find some contributing factors that increase the pull forward toward interpersonal engagement. As I have already noted, Extraversion tends to be aligned with an enmeshed family system or even enmeshed, social system. Almost anyone who lives and works in an enmeshed environment that pulls forward toward interpersonal engagements will tend to spend a considerable amount of time with other people. Whether we like it or not, there is enormous pressure to “relate!” If we don’t then a fundamental social norm is being violated and we are either sent to “the penalty box” (ignored or socially isolated) or punished via gossip channels and warped narratives about who we are and what motivates us to remain “alone”.
