Carl Jung’s Introvert–Extravert Personality Theory

Question 1

Question:
Who was Carl Jung, and what is his Introvert–Extravert Personality Theory? How does it explain behaviour and motivation at work?

Answer 1

Answer:
Carl Jung (1875–1961) was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who introduced the idea of personality types in his 1921 book Psychological Types.
He described people as either Introverts or Extraverts, depending on where they get their energy from.

🔄 Introvert vs Extravert:
Personality Type Description Workplace Preference
Introvert Reflective, inward-focused, recharges alone Enjoys quiet tasks, prefers written communication, may avoid large group settings
Extravert Outgoing, social, energised by others Thrives in teamwork, enjoys discussion, comfortable speaking in meetings

It’s not about shyness or confidence — it’s about energy direction.

🧠 How It Works:
Jung believed personality types were inborn preferences

These affect how people think, decide, and interact

His work laid the foundation for tools like MBTI (Myers-Briggs)

🏢 Workplace Application:
Helps improve communication and team balance

Assigns roles based on natural energy style (e.g. introverts for analysis, extraverts for presentations)

Useful in leadership, HR, and personal development

✅ Why It Matters:
Builds respect for different working styles

Encourages inclusive teamwork and diverse task assignment

Supports conflict resolution and self-awareness

⚠️ Limitations:
Oversimplifies personality into two types

People often fall somewhere in the middle (ambiverts)

Doesn’t account for learned behaviour or adaptability