We often use this term in our everyday language, intuitively feeling what it means. But how does it look from a scientific point of view? First of all, it should be stressed that there is no single definition of this term. According to Strelau, for example, “temperament refers to relatively constant personality traits that are exhibited by people from their early childhood and have their counterparts in the animal world (...)” [1]. Another researcher, Eysenck, as cited by Strelau, claims that temperament is, in addition to intelligence, a component of personality [2]. Yet another concept defines temperament as “hereditarily conditioned profiles of biological behaviour and functioning, present from early childhood” [3]. Regardless of how we define this concept, one thing is certain – temperament has an impact on how we behave or act [4]. In practice, this means that some of us (extroverts) for example make decisions quickly and speak loudly, while others (introverts) tend to analyse things and are shy [5].
Of course, just as there is no single definition of temperament, there are many classifications. The best known seems to be the typology of Hippocrates and Galen, which was developed in antiquity. According to this typology, there are four temperament types: sanguine, choleric, melancholic and phlegmatic, and which one of them we represent depends on the predominance of one of the humours, i.e. blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm. The concepts of extroversion and introversion were developed much later and introduced to the psychology by Carl Gustav Jung. He considered extroversion and introversion to be two types of attitudes expressing the direction of the flow of mental energy (outwards or inwards) [6]. Hans Eysenck then modified the concept and approach to these concepts in his theory of temperament and defined them as dimensions, i.e. extroversion (extroversion-introversion), neuroticism (with emotional balance on the opposite side) [7] and later introduced psychoticism (with altruism, empathy and socialisation on one side and pathology on the other side). The intensity of the different dimensions varies from person to person.
Extroverts are oriented to the outside world. They require external stimulation, strong stimuli and excitement. That is why they are often involved in contact sports [8]. They also have many hobbies, are full of energy and like to learn in a group. Moreover, when talking to other people, they usually speak a lot and loudly. They enjoy being the centre of attention, make decisions quickly, perform well under stress and like changes.
Introverts are focused on the inner world and are reflective. They analyse their experiences and decisions. They avoid strong excitement, the company of other people or loud music [8]. They are self-contained and have few friends. They are reserved and restrained. They often avoid speaking in public, because they do not like to be the centre of attention and are affected by stress. They do not like being the life of the party, they prefer to listen. Usually they speak slowly, make pauses and think about every word.
It seems that these two types of people, i.e. extroverts and introverts, tend to complement each other as far as their personality traits and diversity is concerned, and it is difficult to unambiguously say which of these traits are more desirable in today’s world. At the same time, it should be emphasised that most of us have traits of both extroverts and introverts in varying degrees of intensity. Rarely a person is an extrovert or introvert in 100%.
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Prepared by: Aleksandra Walczak-Tręda MD PhD
