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Relationships

Personality types

An introverted girl.

Some people always like to be the center of attention. They seem to know everyone in school, and are involved in many clubs and sports. Other people are quiet. They may focus on one or two things and keep a small circle of friends.

Different people have different personalities. Some people are introverts (say: IN-troh-vertz). Being introverted does not mean that a person is shy. Introverts enjoy thinking and exploring their thoughts and feelings. They prefer being alone or in a quiet place to being with a large group of people. Introverts get their energy from quiet activities. This doesn’t mean that an introvert wants to be alone all of the time! It just means that it takes extra energy from an introvert to be in a large or loud group.

Other people are extroverts (say: EX-troh-vertz). Most people believe that an extrovert is a person who is friendly and outgoing. This may be true, but a better way to think of it is that an extrovert is a person who gets energy from being with a lot of people. Extroverts are the opposite of introverts. It costs extroverts extra energy to be alone or in a quiet place.

One personality isn’t better than another! They all have their benefits. You may find that some of your friends are introverts, and some are extroverts. Even if you are an introvert, you may be good friends with someone who is an extrovert. Relationships can be balanced between people who share your interests and people who have different interests or hobbies.

 

Content last updated September 22, 2009

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health.

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