Some research estimates that about 65% to 75% of people lean toward being extroverted, while the remaining 30% identify as introverted. But personality isn’t so black and white—it’s more of a spectrum, with the majority falling somewhere in the middle. So in truth, we’re not limited to the extremes of social butterflies or reclusive hermits.
Still, extroversion is often considered the more socially desirable trait. Studies consistently find that extroverts experience higher levels of well-being, more frequent moments of joy, greater career advantages, and stronger satisfaction with their relationships.
But don’t roll your eyes just yet. While happy extroverts outnumber happy introverts on paper, the take is much more nuanced. Researchers that claim extroverts do better at work often say it’s because they’re drawn to leadership roles and more likely to be chosen for them.
However, that doesn’t mean they’re naturally more suited for the job. In fact, introverts and extroverts are equally successful when it comes to leading teams and achieving strong company performance.
And when it comes to relationships, extroverts typically feel more satisfied with the people in their lives because they trust others more easily and have fewer negative interactions. Their friendships, though, are often less deep, while introverts, with fewer friends, form much closer and more meaningful connections.
The founder of Understanding Introverts agrees that their personalities are regularly misjudged, hence the name of the group. “I started this page because I felt that most people think there’s not much to introverts beyond their introversion,” she told Bored Panda. “That’s wrong—we’re so much more: we work, we have families, and we have a sense of humor!”
“I sometimes feel that society sees us as weirdos, as if we live in some strange way,” the creator continued. Not to mention, introverts often get a bad rap for being anti-social. “That’s not true. We just need to recharge after social events, we need alone time,” she explained. “We also prefer our circle of friends to be small—quality over quantity.”
Reflecting on her childhood, the mind behind Understanding Introverts admitted she often felt out of place. “When I was younger, kids were a bit rude to me because I wasn’t interested in the same things they were,” she shared. “I hated gossip and never felt the need to belong to groups.”
