Introversion, Extroversion, and Grief
There has been relatively little research on the relationship between basic personality types and the ways people cope with loss. There have been studies which show that people vary in their adjustments to grief according to whether they are dependent on others for their self-esteem and whether or not they are relatively emotionally unstable at the time of the loss (Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Larson, J., 1999, p. 76) It is the purpose of this paper to examine the various traits of extroverted and introverted people and apply those findings to the various possible approaches to grief..
In general, the terms introvert and extrovert came from C.G. Jung's theories of psychological types, first presented in 1921. The Myers-Briggs assessment of types is based on Jung's categories. This test was first available in 1956, although its development began fifteen years earlier (Quenk, N.L.,2000, p. 1). This type indicator has been widely used in all types of work with people·career guidance, marital counseling, and management in the work place.
An introvert usually prefers to think something through first and then act. He or she likes to communicate in writing, and prefers advance warning of an up-coming discussion. An introvert prefers to discuss a few issues in depth. In contrast, an extrovert prefers to try something and then see how well it worked. He or she likes to communicate face to face, and wants to respond to issues as they come up. Extroverts like to discuss a broad range of issues all at once (Using Myers Briggs, p. 1).
Introverts value inner harmony above all else. They have deep personal values and are insightful in their relations with others (Meyers & Meyers, 1998, p.66). A smaller percentage of the general population is introverted, about 25 percent, and they tend to focus their concentration on a few number of relationships and projects than extroverted people (Keirse...