Introverts Are Happier When They ‘Act’ Like Extroverts

If you’re more excited by the idea of a holiday party than a quiet evening reading, you may be an extrovert. If it’s the other way around, you may be an introvert.

While those labels can be overly simplistic—most people lie somewhere on a spectrum between the two—they’re still useful in understanding ourselves and those around us.

Extroverted traits typically include being outgoing and enthusiastic, impulsive, and talkative. Introverted traits, on the other hand, usually include being introspective, a good listener, and more reserved.

Extroverts seek the stimulation of socially energized environments, while introverts tend to prefer small groups, one-on-one interactions, and plenty of ‘alone time.’

Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, who first described traits of extroversion and introversion in the 1920s, observed that extroverts are energized through social interaction, while introverts ‘recharge’ best in quiet solitude.

While both personality types have strengths and weaknesses—an extrovert’s ‘enthusiasm’ could come across as ‘overbearing,’ while an introvert’s ‘introspection’ could be perceived as ‘aloofness’—American culture tends to celebrate and reward extroverted behavior. Elementary schools emphasize ‘socializing’ and ‘group participation,’ while colleges encourage collaboration and teamwork—skills that favor more extroverted students.

This translates seamlessly into the business world, where speaking up and standing out is more likely to lead to a promotion than quietly but competently getting your work done. Former CEO of General Electric, Jack Welch, advised introverted employees to improve their job prospects in this way: “get out there, mix, speak more often, and connect with both your team and others, deploying all the energy and personality you can muster.” And a report by Truity Psychometrics on ‘Personality Type and Career Achievement’ found that extroverts usually not only out-earn their introverted counterparts by substantial margins, but also report greater job satisfaction.

Susan Cain, in her bestselling book “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking,” details the strong cultural bias towards extroverts and describes what is lost, both individually and collectively, when introverts are undervalued. Namely, creativity and innovation—which are often best nourished in quiet, solitary environments.

Acting Extroverted

Introverts and extroverts can learn and benefit from each other. Extroverts could deepen their personal relationships by learning to listen more carefully. But introverts may also benefit by leaving their comfort zones at times, and acting out of character.

Studies have consistently shown that extroverts report higher levels of satisfaction, or happiness, than introverts. The reasons for this may be multifaceted—perhaps it is because human beings are inherently social creatures, or maybe that extra time spent interacting with others provided a sense of meaning and connection that also contribute to happiness. But whatever the reasons, repeated studies have come to an interesting conclusion that can give introverts another tool in their armory of life skills—simply acting more extroverted can make you happier.

One study, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology in 2020 titled “Experimental Manipulation of Extroverted and Introverted Behavior and Its Effects on Well-Being,” examined whether participants could actually alter the extent to which they behave in ways that are extroverted (“talkative, assertive, and spontaneous”) or introverted (“deliberate, quiet, and reserved”) and how those changes in behavior impact well-being. Study participants were asked to behave in an introverted manner for a week, and then in an extroverted manner the following week. At the end of the study, not only were both extroverted and introverted participants very able to intentionally ‘act’ extroverted or introverted on demand, but both groups reported greater levels of ‘positive affect’—or positive feelings or emotions—when intentionally acting more extroverted. The study authors concluded that “Participants reported marked growth in positive affect during the extroversion week and marked decline in positive affect during the introversion week.” In other words, simply making the effort to act ‘out of character’ and step out of their comfort zones in being sociable, actually made the introverts happier.

As Cain explains in Quiet, “Introverts are capable of acting like extroverts for the sake of work they consider important, people they love, or anything they value highly (p. 209).” She goes on to explain that introverts who exercise this ability are perfectly capable of being highly effective leaders, teachers, and even public speakers.

But there is a caveat to this ‘tool’—while acting ‘out of character’ for short durations may be beneficial, too much time spent essentially putting on a performance can wear an introvert out. In that case, seeking out regular “restorative niches”—or the place you go to reconnect with your ‘true self,’ is essential. That could be a quiet walk, an evening at home, or even just a solitary bathroom break.

As Shakespeare tells us in Hamlet, “This above all: to thine own self be true.” As a society, we may have embraced this message, but for introverts, stepping out of our comfort zones at times, to speak up and engage more socially, may also offer surprising benefits.