The Introvert-Extrovert Spectrum at Stuy

One of the most popular methods for defining personalities is the introvert-extrovert spectrum, a model that has existed for about a century and is used to understand people’s social interactions with others. According to this model, introverts largely focus on internal reflection and typically seem quiet and reserved, while extroverts are more focused on external stimulation and socializing, often seeming outgoing and loquacious. More recently, the term “ambivert” has developed for those who don’t fall under either category and can exhibit both introverted and extroverted characteristics. Like anywhere else, Stuyvesant’s student body reflects this spectrum of personalities, consisting of a dynamic array of introverts, extroverts, and ambiverts, with each individual’s personality itself consisting of many complexities and idiosyncrasies that shape their interactions and experiences.

This often leads introverts and extroverts to face different challenges. For introverts, these predominantly revolve around struggling to reach out to others. “Sometimes when you need help, you may not be able to get the help that you need,” freshman Wallace Liu commented. This can create problems ranging from annoying inconveniences to social isolation and being unable to self-advocate.

Struggling to reach out can impact a person’s ability to form connections with others. “I definitely have friends, but I’m not very good at making friends,” freshman Ginger DiMarco expressed. Having difficulties in making friends is very common for those with introverted traits.

However, once introverts and ambiverts do make friends, they often develop profound relationships with them. Freshman Sophia Gurland explained, “A big advantage is I form a strong connection, but I form fewer [connections] because people think I’m shy when they first meet me.” Although introverts and ambiverts may have fewer friends, they might also feel more connected to them and therefore not feel socially isolated. “I’ve met a lot of close friends. It was hard to make friends at first, but it got better. The first day was really hard,” she added. The transition to Stuyvesant can be particularly challenging, as many students have few or no friends at the beginning of their time here.

Being an introvert not only impacts how people interact with others, but also how they think of themselves. “Being an introvert means you can have peace to yourself and enjoy yourself,” Liu said. Introversion is fundamentally about a focus on internal reflection, which can be an important strength.

Introversion may also affect how people are perceived. “Everyone thinks I look mean, or I just am miserable all the time. It was pretty sad because my teacher thought I was miserable all the time, even though it was my favorite class,” DiMarco described.

This can affect people on a deeper level as well by making it difficult for others to understand who they are and what they think. “The world rarely sees the intense imagination, thoroughgoing thoughts, and interesting ideas that float through my mind. My mother has always told me that I am doing a disservice by not sharing my thoughts more freely with the world, so I have always felt as though I need to make trying to be less withdrawn and more open one of my biggest life goals,” sophomore Aliana Raihan shared in an email interview.

Anxiety about participating in class is another challenge some introverts experience at Stuyvesant. “If the class is something I don’t know, I stay quiet because I don’t want to look like a fool,” Gurland shared. Fear of seeming unintelligent and being judged is a typical reason why some students avoid speaking up in class.

While this can negatively impact how students are perceived by teachers, that is usually not the case. “The teachers are very supportive of introverted people. There are a lot of chances to feel included,” Liu explained.

Raihan echoed a similar idea. “Teachers generally try to incorporate different methods of participation to help both extroverts and introverts make the most out of their time in class,” she commented. This means that introversion does not necessarily have a negative impact on how well students do in class or on their participation grades, as teachers often work to support students with different personality types.

Conversely, while extroverts tend not to struggle with speaking up for themselves, they face different challenges. “Because you’re so social, people expect that from you all the time. You’re known to be the speaker, so you’re always forced to socialize. Extroverts also need time to rest because they’re human,” freshman Olivia Zhou explained. However, she also acknowledged the benefits of being an extrovert: “It’s easier to talk to people, so obviously you’re going to have a better social life,” she reflected.

Many feel that such labels are restrictive and potentially harmful, as a single term is unable to encapsulate all of who someone is. “I know some people who don’t want to be categorized like that, don’t want their whole personality under an umbrella. There are so many different factors; you can’t really squish [someone’s personality] inside a box,” Zhou expressed. She added, “I don’t think it’s fair to categorize people like this when there’s so much more that builds them as a character.” This reflects the fact that the introvert-extrovert spectrum is only one way of understanding personality and that people are much more complex than simply being introverts or extroverts.

“It’s not fair [to categorize people this way]. For people who are both, it doesn’t really capture their personality, how they feel,” freshman Mia Kan expressed. People usually do not exhibit solely introverted or extroverted characteristics, and many are ambiverts, a term that itself describes a broad range.

Some felt that categorizing people in this way is simply not that meaningful. “It doesn’t really matter. They’re just a person to me,” Liu explained. From this perspective, categorizing people as introverts, extroverts, or even ambiverts takes away from truly seeing their unique personality.

However, not everyone feels that these labels were necessarily limiting or unimportant. Some see the spectrum as a tool that helps describe who they are. “While these labels may not always fit people like a glove, they allow us to better understand ourselves and those around us. If we use them as tools of fostering understanding and acceptance rather than using them as a means of creating division amongst each other, they can allow us to truly enhance the way we communicate with each other,” Raihan expressed. Using such labels is therefore not inherently harmful, but can be depending on the manner in which it is done. 

One of the most harmful results of presenting people in this way is the pressure that many feel to fit more into one category. “I have always felt a pressure to be less introverted. I have heard critiques such as ‘Aliana needs to speak more,’ ‘Aliana is really quiet,’ and ‘Aliana is so shy’ more times than I can count,” Raihan shared. This is reflected not only in people’s individual lives, but also in larger societal norms. “Society tends to look down upon introverted people and idolizes extroverted people, viewing them as role models for everyone. This phenomenon is known as the Extrovert Ideal, and I have seen it exemplified all around me for as long as I can remember,” she described. The concept of the Extrovert Ideal can affect people in all areas of life, within school and beyond, and can place introverts at a disadvantage.

Although some felt pressured, many students shared a general sentiment that personality types from across the introvert-extrovert spectrum were accepted. Kan expressed, “I know a lot of people who are introverts and a lot of people who are extroverts. [Stuyvesant is] a welcoming environment for both [kinds of] people.”

Gurland noted that this partially results from Stuyvesant’s rigorous workload. “[There’s] no room to make opinions on each other, so we’re all very accepting of each other,” she commented. This creates a unique environment at Stuyvesant, which is likely distinct from many other schools.

This unique environment is largely shaped by the spectrum of personalities represented at Stuyvesant. Each student’s personality is constantly evolving and influencing their experiences and perceptions, their internal world impacting their interactions with the external world, ultimately shaping the school into what it is.