ekstraversija

Ekstraversija, commonly translated as extraversion, is a personality trait describing a person’s tendency to seek social interaction, feel energized by social settings, and express themselves openly. In Lithuanian usage, it is contrasted with introversija (introversion). The trait reflects how individuals orient their energy toward the outer world of people and activities.

In major personality theories, ekstraversija is a core dimension. In the Big Five model, extraversion encompasses facets such as warmth, gregariousness, assertiveness, activity, excitement-seeking, and positive emotions. People high in ekstraversija are often described as sociable, talkative, and energetic; those low in ekstraversija tend to prefer solitude and quiet environments.

Measurement of ekstraversija is typically done through self-report inventories and questionnaires, such as variants of the Big Five measures or instrumental scales like the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. While these tools are widely used, researchers acknowledge potential biases, including social desirability and cultural differences in self-presentation.

The trait has implications for behavior in work, education, and daily life. High ekstraversija is associated with preferences for teamwork, leadership roles, and engaging in social activities, whereas lower levels may align with reflective or solitary pursuits. Although ekstraversija correlates with positive affect in many contexts, it is not a determinant of well-being and interacts with other traits, life circumstances, and cultural norms.

Historically, the concept traces back to Carl Jung’s ideas of extraversion and introversion, later formalized in contemporary psychology as a major personality dimension. The term ekstraversija is the Lithuanian form of extraversion, used in research and discourse within Lithuanian-speaking communities.