Psychologists agree, in theory, that extroverts are happier people than introverts.

While happiness doesn’t have a universal meaning, we find that in general, this statement is true, and various studies from the past few decades prove it.

Here is some evidence that supports the notion that extroverts tend to be happier than introverts:

  1. Hans Eysenck says that extroversion and happiness rely on each other. In his theory, extroversion is an index of happiness. Eysenck has a test that assesses the personality traits of an individual. The test is called the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire.
  2. In 1985, it was found that young extroverted people had greater chances to have favorable events in their lives.
  3. Nader Kalali’s research paper, “The Effect of Personality on Happiness,” states “Evidence proves that there is a positive relationship between happiness and extraversion. After research on 131 undergraduates in Oxford, 95 Australian students, and 1076 students in USA, Australia, UK, and Canada, happiness was found in the relationship of happiness and extraversion.”
  4. In 1998, Willibald Ruch found that extroverts laughed a lot. Professor Ruch also stated that long-term social relationships caused a higher rate of extroversion in people. In those relationships are the pivotal moments of our existence.  Those relationships bring joy to our lives.

Acceptance of Rewards

Extroverts are more responsive to receiving rewards causing happiness. In 1991, Larsen and Ketelaar stated that there is a hugely positive reaction to favorable situations.

A person with anxiety and a higher rate of irritability are more responsive to punishments making them less happy.

Attend More Social Events

Extroverts attend more socially enjoyable events. This also causes a reason for their happiness. They want to be around other people. They go to events, dances, meetings, clubs, bars, parties, and etc.

However, in my opinion, this idea is not an absolute predictor of happiness. If you are an introvert and don’t enjoy loud social gatherings such as crowded parties and clubbing, then attending them won’t bring you any happiness, but quite the opposite actually.

So the fact that you don’t enjoy them doesn’t automatically make you unhappy – it just means that you gain joy and satisfaction from more mindful and quiet activities, that’s all.

Controlling Moods

Psychologists say that extroverts have better control of their moods. They get into happier moods and stay in them for longer periods of time. They also get out of their funk quicker than others.

Extroversion Is Passed Down

Extroversion is descended from the parents, say Lykken and Tellegen. In 1996, Lykken and Tellegen studied 1400 twins and saw that extroversion is partially inherited.

They Retain More Special Memories

Extroverts look into their past in a more positive manner than others. People that have more positive views on their lives are mostly extroverted.

Introverts tend to hold on to the more negative influences of their past. That’s true, introverts just love to overanalyze their past, worrying about the things that happened the wrong way long ago and blaming themselves for that.

Finding Happiness as an Introvert

As we discuss extroverts and their happiness, I must conclude that introverts also have their own ways of being happy. They find happiness in tranquility, serenity, placidity, and equanimity.

  1. Introverts love spending time alone. This is how they recharge and gather thoughts.
  2. They are not anti-social. It just takes a little bit more time to warm up to people. They choose to know fewer people but enjoy those people on a deeper level.
  3. Introverts like to look for a deeper meaning in life. They analyze things that don’t necessarily need to be analyzed.

Personal Experiences

In my experience being an introvert, I am generally more depressed and would seek out loneliness. I do not want any attention from anyone, including friendship or relationships.

As I have experienced being more social, I am a happier individual. I seek to help people and to motivate them. I want the world to be a better place and to share my experiences with people so a little light might be shed on their lives.

Still, it is very often I wish I could retreat to my shell where I feel safe and alone.

What are your thoughts on this? Are you happy as an extrovert/introvert? Please share them in the comments below.

References:

  1. http://www.lifehack.org
  2. https://www.fastcompany.com

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This Post Has One Comment

  1. Tyler Botelho

    I’m a introvert, I’m also over 75% introvert. I’m working on assertiveness, Being around extroverts is tiring. But I’m not that impulsive & very understanding for someone my age. But most people my age are not very understanding. I also have very good anger management control & know what i want in life. Some of the perks of being a introvert, I’m not a over thinker. I could care less about what people think about me. I’m also very good at making friends, some of them have a high IQ like me.

    A LIL advice for my fellow introverts out their work on your conflict skills, don’t be afraid to be mean & sobby if you have too. I have in the pass & have very few Regets because it was validated.

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