3 min read

·

Jul 30, 2025

In today’s society, people often value extroversion over introversion.

Even though personality tests like the MBTI have gained popularity and are presented as more “scientific,” they still haven’t changed the way people perceive introverts. In fact, they sometimes reinforce personality stereotypes even more.

According to research, the ratio of extroverts to introverts is about 3:1.

Marty Laney once wrote in The Introvert Advantage:

As an introvert, I couldn’t agree more. I often feel out of place, as if I’m constantly trying to blend into social “rules” that weren’t made for me.

This made me wonder: Why is life harder for introverts? Why is introversion often treated as something abnormal? And where did our ideas of introversion and extroversion even come from?

Early psychoanalytic schools had various approaches to understanding personality, but it was Carl Jung who clearly introduced the concepts of introversion and extroversion.

Jung believed that personality develops through our interactions with the environment. He described four functions of consciousness — Thinking, Feeling, Sensation, and Intuition — which combine to form eight personality types. Each person contains a mix of these functions, rather than just one.

He suggested that introverts draw energy from within, focusing on their inner world of ideas and meaning, while extroverts recharge through external stimulation and interaction. Over time, this distinction evolved into the simplified stereotypes we see today.

The Big Five is one of the most widely accepted models for describing personality. It consists of five traits:

Openness — curiosity, creativity, and openness to new experiences.

Conscientiousness — responsibility and reliability.

Extraversion — sociability and assertiveness.

Agreeableness — kindness and focus on harmony in relationships.

Emotional Stability (Neuroticism) — staying calm under stress.

Importantly, extraversion is only one trait among five. Yet, society often treats it as the standard of “normal.”

Foucault argued that knowledge is often created by those in power to control society. Through education, family, and social systems, certain behaviors become the “norm,” while others are seen as needing correction.

For example:

Schools reward students who are outspoken, competitive, and obedient — raising hands, answering quickly, staying disciplined. Those who are quieter are often told they need to “improve.” Textbooks and education reinforce these values, deepening the divide between “extroverted” and “introverted” ideals.

The term “stigma” comes from ancient Greece, where it referred to marks placed on slaves or criminals.

Goffman explained that when someone doesn’t conform to social expectations, society “labels” them, creating a hierarchy. Over time, these labels can even shape how people see themselves.

Today, despite psychology providing scientific models, many still rely on simplified categories — like zodiac signs or MBTI — for personality. While fun, they unintentionally strengthen the idea that being introverted or extroverted defines your worth. Even companies use personality quizzes for events, further pushing this labeling mindset.

It’s true: introverts often face more challenges fitting into an extrovert-centered world. But I believe we don’t have to live like extroverts to be “normal.”

Here are a few things that help:

Put your own well-being first.

Stop forcing yourself to fit into groups you don’t enjoy.

Appreciate what you truly love — it’s valuable.

Remind yourself: there’s nothing “wrong” with you.

As an introvert, I used to feel out of place everywhere. But when I began to see introversion not as a flaw, but as a different rhythm, I started to live more comfortably.

This is my first article in English, and I hope it speaks to anyone who’s ever doubted themselves for being quiet.

If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it — or buy me a coffee ☕.

🪶 Read more and support my writing lab → 懶懶觀察寫作實驗室

☕ Buy me a coffee → Laz Laz is Life Observation