“I think I’m a weird combination of deeply introverted and very daring. I can feel both those things working.”
Helen Hunt
Characteristics of creative people noted by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, based on his research, include this:
“Creative people tend to be both extroverted and introverted. We’re usually one or the other, either preferring to be in the thick of crowds or sitting on the sidelines and observing the passing show.”
He adds, “In fact, in current psychological research, extroversion and introversion are considered the most stable personality traits that differentiate people from each other and that can be reliably measured. Creative individuals, on the other hand, seem to exhibit both traits simultaneously.”
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Wilde Woman
12:15 pm on
March 18th, 2011I could be wrong but my impression is that everyone hits situations and events in their lives that can or do bring introvert and extrovert behaviours out in them. A lot can depend on the support and encouragement from others or indeed the absence of any. I don’t believe these traits are unique to creative people at all although the contrasting states may be more apparent to outsiders because of what they do.
I do very much like Linda Silverman’s explanation of the difference between the two extremes though which I think perfectly encapsulates the motivation behind the traits. “Extraverts get their energy from interaction with people and the external world. Introverts get their energy from within themselves; too much interaction drains their energy and they need to retreat from the world to recharge their batteries.”
It strikes me that both behaviours emerge out of experiences and evolve into a need that needs to be fed. Perhaps the creative person is the one with the most likelihood for balance as they can and do fluctuate between the too, thereby fulfilling all their needs instead of focusing on some.
Just a thought!
Katherine
5:39 am on
March 28th, 2011I really like this idea. Because I feel I have both qualities. I’ve tested slightly higher on personality profiles as an introvert, so I get the “I” on the score. However, I know I really need consistent interaction with other people or I go squirrelly really fast. But I also need the alone, restorative time to myself as well. By both developed talent and academic background, I’m an avocational musician. However, I’ve earned my living most of my adult life in other fields.
I agree! One needs to be both introverted (more of an observer) and extroverted (more of a participant) in order to birth a creation that will be balanced.
I think as balanced human beings we are BOTH, not one or the other – but one AND the other.
I really enjoyed “The Creative Personality”. At age 52 I find myself more introverted than extroverted and after reading this article I now know it is possible to be both. I was speaking with a friend about how I felt like I was back and forth. In the past five years I noticed I was isolating but felt ok with not being the life of the party at center stage any longer. It took way too much energy to stay “up” all the time. At first I thought I was depressed because my neighbor kept saying “you NEED to get out more”, “you would feel better if you went to church with me”. What she did not know was I had sworne off “shoulds” and could no longer hear “you need” when people said it to me or others. Why would I want someone to not only tell me what I need and how to feel better when I did not feel bad, I simply felt like spending time with me, my home and my wonderful husband. I found that when I did go out to functions it was interesting that sometimes I would be so drained while attending an event, other times exilerated and filled with Creative energy and non-stop ideas for days after. I found purposely it was the crowd as well as the event and what was brand new was the type of crowd and that was made of some people I knew and some that I was getting to know. Soon my new extroverted side could interact with people and when I felt my energy waxing I would excuse myself go home to reflect. It is a wonderful way to know now when I have had enough and when to recharge. Thank You for this article. Write on Time!
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