You are invited to a large party. Loud music is playing, and lots of people are dancing. Do you dance or talk to as many people as you can call all night? Later, you cannot fall asleep—you want more conversation! Or do you prefer a quieter corner? Or perhaps you cannot wait to go home early and relax by yourself.

    Which of these people sound most like you? Person A, who tries to talk to everyone and stays late? Or Person B, who prefers to keep quiet and leaves early?

    If you said Person A, you are probably more extroverted（性格外向的）. If you said Person B, you are probably more introverted（内向的）. Or perhaps you are Person C and fall somewhere in the middle. Introverted and extroverted people are two commonly used words to describe a person's personality. And they are also commonly misused and misunderstood.

    Introverts may be thought as quiet, shy and timid. Extroverts may be thought as bold, confident, loud and full of energy. Introverted and extroverted people may fit those descriptions. But these same descriptions do not define（下定义）introversion and extroversion properly.

    Introverts and extroverts use their brains differently, and they get their energy differently. Introversion is the state of being mostly concerned with one's own mental life. Extroversion is the opposite. Extroversion is the state of being mostly concerned with what is outside oneself.

    People who consider themselves introverts may say they “need to be alone to charge their batteries”. However, introverts may still live being social and going to parties. But such activities require time to prepare.

    Extroverts may say, “I don't need ‘alone time', I feel more relaxed being around other people.” Even so, extroverts can still feel unsure or not confident among other people.

    So where do you fall on the introversion/ extroversion chart?