Temperament
Extroverts and Introverts
Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC,
Executive Director, AllCEUs
Host, Counselor Toolbox
Continuing Education (CE) credits can be earned for this presentation at https://allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/615/c/
Objectives
~ Define temperament
~ Examine how knowing your temperament and the temperament of those around you can
~ Improve communication
~ Enhance relationships
~ Reduce stress
~ Explore in-depth the Extrovert/Introvert dimension
~ Identify potential conflicts
~ Examine potential ways to help people on opposite ends of the spectrum collaborate.
Temperament
~ A relatively stable set of traits referring to
~ Preferred environments
~ Learning and problem solving styles and methods
~ Ways of conceptualizing and approaching the world
~ Philosophical approach to the world
~ Time management
~ Temperament occurs along a complementary continuum
~ Neither end of the continuum is better or worse
~ Most people are somewhere in between each point
Temperament
~ As stress increases, people gravitate toward their preferred temperament dimensions
~ Additional stress and vulnerabilities can be through
~ Awareness of personal preferences (Prevent your stress)
~ Awareness of the preferences of those around you
~ Knowledge of how to create an environment supportive of individual preferences
Temperament—Life Approach
Extrovert
~ Are expansive and less passionate (well rounded)
~ Tend to focus on multiple things superficially
~ Might be thought of as lacking focus
~ May have 6 half-finished projects
~ Find it easy to transition between multiple activities
Introvert
~ Are intense and passionate (well versed)
~ Will focus on one thing through mastery
~ Might be thought of as being too self-involved
~ Usually get immersed in a project or topic sometimes to the exclusion of other activities (Family time, chores, etc…)
Interventions
~ Encourage each person to understand the other’s approach and avoid devaluing it
~ Encourage Introverts to set alarms or otherwise schedule in other activities (family/recovery) to avoid getting consumed
~ Sometimes Extroverts are hard to pin down—provide deadlines for specific tasks
~ Encourage partners to discuss their interests, goals (survey, mastery)
~ If it pertains to something like cleaning, recovery etc, clearly define what the goal is…observable, measurable, steps
Temperament—Social Support
Extrovert
~ Generally easy to get to know
~ Like meeting new people, have many friends
~ Know what is going on around them rather than inside them (chameleon-esque)
~ Tend to be very open and chatty
~ Since they think on their feet they often find reciprocal self-disclosure to be quite easy
Introvert
~ More difficult to get to know
~ Exert effort to meet new people, have a few close friends
~ Are more likely to know what is going on inside them than what is going on around them
~ Like to think before they speak which makes them seem more reserved
~ Often find connections with others during post-event processing
~ Encourage awareness of each other’s feelings in situations (excited vs. overwhelmed; bored vs. intensely fascinated)
~ Have each partner share what they need/want/envision as effective social support
~ Explore reasons for feelings of jealousy/inadequacy and normalize behavior
~ Extroverts may want feedback/support from multiple people
~ Introverts may always seek feedback/support and have intense discussions with one or two people
~ Extroverts do better in groups, draw energy from people
~ Introverts do better with introspective activities draw energy from personal grounding
Temperament–Communication
Extrovert
~ Would rather figure things out while they are talking
~ Are often considered good talkers
~ Often auditory learners
Introvert
~ Figure things out and THEN talk
~ Good listeners
~ Often visual learners
Interventions
~ Allow the extrovert to say their peace, validate understanding and allow the introvert 30 minutes to compile thoughts.
~ Extrovert writes down the problem, lets the introvert read the narrative, discussion ensues 30 minutes later
~ Understand your partner’s process and develop a system to allow them to work through it.
~ Extroverts will want to be clued in even if it had nothing to do with them
~ Introverts often want to hear about your day, but may forget to ask…so offer
~ Extroverts may need to verbally process their day to figure out what is going on inside themselves
~ Introverts in recovery may need external feedback for perspective
Temperament–Environment
Extrovert
~ Often enjoy background noise such as TV or radio
~ Often don’t mind clutter
Introvert
~ Prefer peace and quiet
~ Prefer organization
Interventions
~ Earplugs and headphones
~ Schedule “quite times”
~ Create “quiet spaces”
~ Develop your daytime/work schedule to conform to personal preferences
~ Add carpet and wall tapestries to absorb some of the noise
~ Be aware of your personal “stress times” and arrange your environment accordingly
~ Environmental stressors can be huge vulnerabilities
Temperament–Environment
Extrovert
~ Often do not mind interruptions
~ Transition easily between and among tasks
Introvert
~ Dislike interruptions
~ Have difficulty transitioning (Remember: Intense focus; deep sleep)
Interventions
~ Extroverts can handle interruptions while the Introvert is on an intensive task
~ Introverts need to be aware of time and time sucks
~ Introverts can handle “life” while the extrovert gets some things done.
~ Introverts need to schedule “focus time” around the needs of the family, recovery, wellness (Recovery can pose unique challenges)
~ Kennel the dog & turn off the phone
~ Schedule appointments so they do not interrupt focus time.
~ Introverts can create a transition ritual
Summary
~ Each person is often a combination of some introverted and some extroverted characteristics
~ Knowing your own preferences can help you reduce your own vulnerabilities and stress
~ Knowing the preferences of your friends, family, coworkers can help you understand more about how to interact in harmony with them
~ Just like two people with depression may have different “symptoms,” two extroverts may have different extrovert traits.
Summary
~ Quick Assessment
~ Do they/you talk it out or think then talk?
~ Are they/you “friends” with everyone or tend to stay with one or two people or alone?
~ Can they/you focus on one task for an extended period or do they need variety?
~ Do they/you prefer quiet or active environments?
~ What do you bring?
~ Who compliments your traits?