5 Personality Traits of Extroverts

Do you love meeting new people? Does a big social event leave you feeling energized and renewed? If you can answer yes to these questions, then there is a possibility that you might just be an extrovert.

There is a lot of talk these days about the distinction between extroverts and introverts, which is often treated as an either/or trait. Introversion and extroversion are one of the major personality dimensions that make up the five-factor model of personality. According to this theory, personality is made up of five broad dimensions. Each dimension, including extroversion/introversion, exists on a continuum. While some people might tend to be at the extreme end of either side of the continuum, most people are somewhere more in the middle. 

So while you might have a lot of traits that make you an extrovert, you might also find yourself sometimes exhibiting traits that are more introverted in nature.

What Exactly Is an Extrovert?

On the positive side, extroverts are often described as talkative, sociable, action-oriented, enthusiastic, friendly, and out-going. On the negative side, they are sometimes described as attention-seeking, easily distracted, and unable to spend time alone.

Some of the general characteristics associated with extroversion include:

• Numerous, broad interests
• Likes to communicate by talking
• Enjoys being at the center of attention
• Tends to act first before thinking
• Enjoys group work
• Feels isolated by too much time spent alone
• Looks to others and outside sources for ideas and inspiration
• Likes to talk about thoughts and feelings

Extroversion has been correlated with a number of different outcomes. Among the positive outcomes, extroverts tend to spend more time with other people, spend more time engaged in social activities, and tend to have more friends. Research has also suggested that extroverts tend to be happier than introverts as well as being less prone to certain psychological disorders. 

On the other hand, extroverts are also more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors, including risky health behaviors.

Think you might be an extrovert? Check out our list of five of the key traits common to this type of personality.

You don't just enjoy talking to friends, family members, and co-workers; you love to strike up conversations with total strangers. You love to meet new people and learn about their lives. Unlike introverts who tend to think before they speak, extroverts tend to speak as a way to explore and organize their thoughts and ideas.

Extroverts also tend to have a wide circle of friends. Since you are so good at meeting new people, striking up conversations, and you genuinely enjoy the company of others, it probably is no surprise that making friends comes easily.

Do you tend to feel "charged up" and inspired after you've spent some time with other people? Extroverts tend to find such social interactions refreshing and they actually gain energy from such exchanges. When extroverts have to spend a lot of time alone, they often begin to feel uninspired and listless. If given a choice between spending time alone and spending time with other people, an extrovert will almost always choose to spend time with a group.

When you are facing a problem, you prefer to discuss the issues and various options with others. Talking about it helps you explore the issue in depth and figure out which option might work the best. After a difficult day at work or school, talking about it with friends or family can help you feel less stressed out. Introverts, on the other hand, prefer to think about problems and spend time alone after a trying day.

Since people with this personality type love interacting with other people so much, others tend to find extroverts likable and easy to approach. At a party, an extrovert will probably be the first one to walk up to new guests and make introductions. It is for this reason that extroverts typically find it easy to meet new people and make new friends.

While introverts are sometimes perceived as closed-off and aloof, extroverts are typically very open and willing to share their thoughts and feelings. Because of this, other people generally find that extroverts are easier to get to know.

Remember that extroversion isn't an all or nothing trait; it's actually a continuum and some people might be very extroverted while others are less so. Extroversion is more common than introversion and is often valued since extroverts tend to be skilled at interacting with others. This does not mean, however, that one personality type is 'better' than another. Each type has its own pluses and minuses, and you may even find that you are extroverted in some situations and more introverted in others.