Is it possible for an introverted person to become extroverted?

[patchtrix]

If you think it is possible, please give some ideas of how. I am an INTP but I relate a lot better with people and social situations than what I read as the stereotypical INTP. Sometimes I feel like a very reserved extrovert, even though I score pretty high on the introvert/extrovert portion of any "test." My other thought on the subject is that I can't change my inherent nature of "introvertedness," I can only become a more socially confident introvert. I feel like I am missing out in a sense from not being as socially competent as some of my peers, I see being introverted as being held back. Any thoughts/ideas on the matter would be appreciated.

 

[Kdosi]

No. And don´t attemmpt it.

As far as I know, whether you are an introverted or an extroverted person is decided in your mother´s womb - it has something to do with how your brain works.

But it doesn´t necessarily mean that introverts are socially inept. As far as I am concerned, the main difference would be in extroverts making their opinions as they talk, whereas introverts make opinions first and then speak about them (and can agree with some valid points from outside, but deal with them internally, change the view, and then present it again). So where extroverts basically brainstorm half of the time, intorverts think alone half of the time.

Social competence, though, is another matter. You write you are "quite socially competent" - what´s the matter than? I believe it is a part of growing up to ACCEPT what you are and then IMPROVE. If you want to start all over again, try reincarnation

 

[own8ge]

It's been proven that it is possible. However, it takes a great mind, dedication and some kind of typological understand in order to do it. The first thing one must know, is how an introvert (for your specific type) thinks differently compared to your extrovert. You must understand the very principles, and inherit this over an extended period of time.
The hardest thing about it is dedication, in order to be an extrovert, you'll have to change the way you think. You will have to break your own principles that make up how you think now. And there are reasons as to why you think as you do. To break these principles is hard and may be considered irrational by the self.

The best advice I can give, is to inherit the tricks and tact of other extroverts; refusing to actually change yourself. (Thus observing how others do things, and inherit this. Perhaps even inheriting the basic principles of how their thoughts evolve. But never make it your default state-of-mind.)

 

[SLushhYYY]

For an introvert to become an extrovert, one must somehow change their dominant introverted cognitive function, into an extroverted cognitive function, you must essentially rearrange your shadow functions with your more enjoyable ones. This would take major work, if you believe in cognitive function theory, it's probably borderline impossible

 

[Jennywocky]

I don't think you become different types, I think you just learn how to utilitize skills that might not be preferred. I actually can come off as extroverted now, in certain contexts, but essentially it's a huge energy drain on me (that's the price I pay)... and at some point in the blink of an eye I "shut down" and immediately go into hibernate mode and have to disappear.

If you think it is possible, please give some ideas of how. I am an INTP but I relate a lot better with people and social situations than what I read as the stereotypical INTP. Sometimes I feel like a very reserved extrovert, even though I score pretty high on the introvert/extrovert portion of any "test." My other thought on the subject is that I can't change my inherent nature of "introvertedness," I can only become a more socially confident introvert. I feel like I am missing out in a sense from not being as socially competent as some of my peers, I see being introverted as being held back. Any thoughts/ideas on the matter would be appreciated.

See underlined. Kind of like that, although I think for short periods of time you could develop enough skill to make it hard to tell the difference.

The thing is, be comfortable as yourself. For a certain period when I was engaging people and living a more extroverted style life, I did enjoy it but I could not maintain it and also after awhile I felt unhappy with the lack of focus and constantly being running and out and not having more stability and "home time." I really need my alone time to recharge.

I'm glad I did that for a bit, because it taught me more about who I am -- based on what I was able to accomplish but also about what I could and could not maintain in the long term. So now I don't feel like I'm "missing" anything, I know myself better.

 

[Niclmaki]

I would think it is possible, but there would be no real advantage to it in my view. It would seem to also take superhuman effort. Maybe you could try it just for the experience, but you'll be expending a lot of energy.

I kind of think of it like game stats, hah. Both have their advantages and disadvantages in different settings.

Like you could pick one extra health, or one extra damage. Sometimes one extra health will be better, sometimes one extra damage.

And for one more analogy.. You could say you have to go on a ridiculously long quest to re allot that one point. Would you say it is worth it?

As a P.S. I have heard that traumatic experiences such as a near-death experience, or the loss of a lifelong partner can change your preferences as well. (I wouldn't recommend trying it though :P)
P.S.S. I can't remember the source, but I remembered that it seemed pretty credible >.>.... Don't shoot me

 

[EyeSeeCold]

If you mean in terms of neuropsychology, I'm sure there are OTC/prescription drugs, or activities that produce the chemicals in your body, that could cause you to be more vigorous and sociable. Changing your longterm lifestyle & social habits and values would take some time & effort.

 

[Pizzabeak]

I think you can still be an introvert, but just have more of an understanding of, say, human nature. Meaning you might want to hang out with someone sometime for a bit... Or you're on campus waiting for class and figure you'd meet up with someone... Doesn't mean you're all of a sudden an extravert.

 

[Reluctantly]

I sorta think if you try it, you will get agitated by not giving in to your inclinations to introvert. It'll probably make someone feel unfulfilled in their life because of this.

I guess the way I see it, introverts can become more extroverted, but actually becoming extroverted seems unhealthy.

But then again, types can changes and it all depends. For some people, introversion is too natural for them to change into a genuine extrovert. I suppose some people might be inclined one way or the other, depending on nurture.

But then again, I'm of the empirical opinion that extroversion/introversion is mostly about nature and that introverts only become more extroverted (still dominantly introverted) and extroverts only become more introverted (still dominantly extroverted) as they mature.

 

[WALKYRIA]

Yes, I think so..
It depends from the situation and how/ where you occupy your day.
Certain situations don't allow Ti to work well, for example in relationships.
IN those kind of situations, I favor Ne, and many people think therefore am ENTP... I go in clubs pretty often just to be surrounded by people ; when i see kids in the street I just stop by and play with them soccer or kid around, I talk to people in the street pretty easily, tramps, artists... I coach introverted friends on how to have great relationships with people.
On the other side I'm furiously introvert; When I see too much people in the day... I just loose energy. Some people can see their friends all the time and still love them, I just can't.

SO it really depends on the situation.


They say that balanced people are equally introvert and extrovert.. and it seems logical to me that a mature human beings shouldnt be afraid of people, nor should be afraid to be alone. Same as one can be indidualist and still be humanist and people loving.

 

[Stellar]

I don't think it is actually possible. It is determined at birth... You can obviously change things and in some way make yourself become more used to or comfortable with being extroverted like you stated, but ideally and mentally I think you'd always be an Introverted person.
I remember reading about this. Can't recall how to find it at the moment but will attempt to find the information. Pretty interesting stuff.

And about being "held back". I don't necessarily agree. In the end you have something they don't and vice versa. Take what you have and utilize to the best you can. You are drawn to think within yourself rather than in a vocal and visible manner that's apparent to others. It's cool man.

 

[BigApplePi]

Introvert -> Extrovert

patchtrix are you still there? Suppose we define an introvert as one with lots of wiring to the inside world and an extrovert as one with lots of wiring to the outside world. I'm an introvert. All my dealings with the outside world are hooked to the inside world or else my mind goes "blooey." By that I mean I can deal with the outside world as long as I remain connected to the inside world. As soon as there is an artifical separation, I become an island entity without grounding. That's what I mean by "blooey."

Could I change that? Could I become hooked to the outside world and expand freely in it? My current thinking is only by expanding my inside world to include the outside world in it. That could be done for a part of the outside world. That effort would be limited though as the outside world is open, that is unbounded. Sooner of later I would encounter an open area. Connections with it unexperienced would break me off causing me to return to classic introversion.

What about the reverse? That's the next natural question. I suppose we could wait for an extrovert to give their version, but it would be interesting to speculate.

I'm not sure what an extrovert does. Are we talking people or other externals? If an extrovert is wired to openness in the outside world, new things, they may not find the inner world has foundation enough to supply them. They are non inner world supplied. Their inner world may seem like a prison and they always will want to escape it. Don't know. They might stop their outer world activities to search their inner world on ways to further their outer world interests, but as soon as the get what they want, they'd want to get hell away from an unproductive inner world.

BTW after writing that, I sense I have a seed planted to explain this more harmoniously but it ain't ready for prime time. What do you think? Is this right?

 

[TriflinThomas]

No, but it can become easier to extrovert yourself. This is something I've recently discovered.

 

[Architect]

You have it all wrong. You already are extroverted, and Sensate, Judging, etc. Every person has all the letters as a capability, and all the functions. You just prefer (and are therefore stronger) at some versus the others. Your strength in a capability/function increases over your lifetime as you use it. You also strengthen at others because you have to use them (i.e. Extraversion), even though they are not your preferred.

@Jennywocky has this correct.

For example, if you are an INTP you extravert Intuition and Feeling on a daily basis (just not so much on the Feeling.) If you related well to people (I have for most of my life) then that just means you are using Ne and Fe to a higher degree.

If you do that for say, an hour or two, then go home for the rest of the day and bury yourself in your computer or a book that just means you are a perfectly well functioning INTP.

I was talking to an INTP buddy who told me how when he was a kid he would go out in nature with his calculator and play with it for hours coming up with new calculations and ways of using it. He also really likes to hang out 1-1 with his friends like me. Yesterday we watched a bunch of Sensors out sweating on a soccer field while we philosophized about why sitting in the shade watching them was the superior approach.

 

[BigApplePi]

Every person has all the letters as a capability, and all the functions.

Not only all the letters, but all eight functions. There is no such thing as a developed INTP and there is no such thing as an INTP because an INTP is not a complete person.

 

[Jennywocky]

Not only all the letters, but all eight functions. There is no such thing as a developed INTP and there is no such thing as an INTP because an INTP is not a complete person.

IOW, "we all be EISNTFJP's on this bus"?

 

[BigApplePi]

IOW, "we all be EISNTFJP's on this bus"?

Speak for youself. I are an INTP who forgot to ever use Te, never gave Ni or Fi its due recognition and dislikes Se. That makes me a shallow person.

P.S. Ah buses you on the cheek for that.

Edit: No wonder "bus" wasn't in the dictionary. It's buss.

 

[Reluctantly]

You have it all wrong. You already are extroverted, and Sensate, Judging, etc. Every person has all the letters as a capability, and all the functions. You just prefer (and are therefore stronger) at some versus the others. Your strength in a capability/function increases over your lifetime as you use it. You also strengthen at others because you have to use them (i.e. Extraversion), even though they are not your preferred.

@Jennywocky has this correct.

For example, if you are an INTP you extravert Intuition and Feeling on a daily basis (just not so much on the Feeling.) If you related well to people (I have for most of my life) then that just means you are using Ne and Fe to a higher degree.

If you do that for say, an hour or two, then go home for the rest of the day and bury yourself in your computer or a book that just means you are a perfectly well functioning INTP.

I was talking to an INTP buddy who told me how when he was a kid he would go out in nature with his calculator and play with it for hours coming up with new calculations and ways of using it. He also really likes to hang out 1-1 with his friends like me. Yesterday we watched a bunch of Sensors out sweating on a soccer field while we philosophized about why sitting in the shade watching them was the superior approach.

Well, while I don't disagree with her on the preference thing, I don't think that necessarily means one's preferences have to align with ONE type...
Some types are very similar and can be more a matter of circumstance/nurture than anything else.
So, for example, while it would be theoretically nonsensical to say INTP can also have preferences for ESFP/ESFJ, it wouldn't be a stretch to say INTPs have a lot in common with some INXX types. Pod'Lair types a lot of INTPs INFJs, so you know, maybe they are looking at the same thing, but from a different angle. But my point is that one gets a BETTER understanding of themselves by knowing what types they are most similar too and not just choosing ONE type as their theoretical center, which we really can't be 100% certain about. because the point is understanding ourselves, not believing an idea of ourselves that is self-fulfilling.

 

[Jennywocky]

Well, while I don't disagree with her on the preference thing, I don't think that necessarily means one's preferences have to align with ONE type...

I agree with that.

Preferences overlap between types to some degree.

Also, I just don't think some people fit squarely into these arbitrary type boundaries. Let's face it, INTP is "best fit" for me, and I was far more cliche when younger, but nowadays if you're just going to look at a snapshot of me in a moment in time, I'm kind of an amalgam of a few different types with overlapping preferences in terms of my actual presentation.

Basically the 16 types might be rationalized out in the theory, but they're still just one form of classification with arbitrary boundaries in terms of what criteria is being prioritized.

it wouldn't be a stretch to say INTPs have a lot in common with some INXX types.

Agree. I think the INxx pool shares some priorities.

my point is that one gets a BETTER understanding of themselves by knowing what types they are most similar too and not just choosing ONE type as their theoretical center, which we really can't be 100% certain about. because the point is understanding ourselves, not believing an idea of ourselves that is self-fulfilling.

Agree again.

At this point, for me personally, I'm less interested in identifying with a particular type and more interested in seeing all the aspects of myself. I think also that we can know who we are, even if we don't fit squarely into a type, and to try to fit a type means squelching valid parts of our own identities, which is counter-productive.

 

[patchtrix]

BigApplePi, yes I am still here. I didn't get any responses for a couple days and then just recently logged back on and there was a regular 'ol discussion going on haha I really appreciate everyones response. This past week I have been learning more about myself. About a week and half ago I decided to put forth an effort to be more outgoing and friendly in everyday circumstances. I actually had a job interview for server/bartender at a local restaurant, and it was probably the best interview I have ever had in my life. ( I did get the job btw) This whole experience has definitely reinforced my belief that I am definitely introverted! I can somewhat easily act more like an extrovert, but it is stinkin exhausting!

Some of the reasons I was previously starting to believe I was maybe more on extraverted side, I believe were stemming from the fact that I have been essentially unemployed for two and half months. I have had a really hard time just being alone at home, every day I was trying to figure out something to do around people. I wasn't really craving a ton of actual human interaction, I just wanted to be around people. At first I was going snowboarding a lot, until weather got warm. In march, I put in many, many hours fishing. I just felt extremely trapped being alone. Another reason I was thinking more towards me being extraverted, is the fact that I really enjoy large loud crowd situations, such as concerts, loud bars; etc. They make me feel energized. Even in those situations though, I absolutely hate prospect of being center of attention, and usually don't go out of my way to make conversation.

So, to respond to your speculation, I think my mind goes "blooey" also. Even though I really do enjoy socialization, I am starting to believe that I really do need that "alone" time to recharge. In fact, just this past week I have been playing video games more than I have past several months and finally beat borderlands 2 haha I think the reason I have been getting so stressed out past couple months is because my socialization with people was very rare, having most of the day to myself. Especially now that I have started this job, which is extremely people oriented, I have a renewed respect for my alone time. I feel like I have a lot more to say, especially in response to everyones responses, but I don't really have all my thoughts organized or time to type them out haha but hopefully I can get back later today or this weekend...