Extraversion is the trait in the five-factor model that is about how much energy you draw from other people and from what goes on around you. High extraversion is often called extrovert and low introvert — but in the model it is one scale, and most people sit somewhere in the middle.
Last updated September 2026
People high in extraversion often thrive in social settings, readily take the floor and seek activity and stimulation. They often feel positive emotions such as joy and enthusiasm clearly, and can get restless when things stay quiet for long.
People lower in extraversion often need more quiet to recharge. They tend to prefer fewer, closer relationships, think before they speak and enjoy time on their own. It is about where energy comes from, not shyness or social skill.
In the most widely used breakdown, extraversion has six facets: warmth, gregariousness, assertiveness, activity level, excitement-seeking and positive emotions. One can, for example, be warm and caring without seeking large gatherings.
No. High extraversion can make it easy to connect and take initiative, but also bring a need for constant stimulation. Low extraversion can bring focus, depth and good listening, but can make socially heavy periods more tiring.
Longitudinal studies find that different parts of the trait change differently: assertiveness tends to rise in young adulthood, while the appetite for social stimulation can decline in old age. Overall the trait is fairly stable.
No. Shyness is about discomfort or anxiety in social situations. An introvert can be socially confident yet prefer less stimulation.
An informal word for people in the middle of the scale, which most people are. The model does not use the word, but it fits how the trait is distributed.
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