Research has suggested for a long time that Extraverts rely on some words more than others. However, the findings have been inconsistent. Researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore looked at the subject again, using more than 80,000 participants and their words. The study, published in the Journal of Research in Personality, suggests a small correlation between Extraverts and favored words. They lean a little heavier on positive emotion words (like “happy” and “love”) and social process words (like “chat” and “join”).
And this research likely surprises nobody. But research is often designed to verify what is commonly believed but not necessarily proven. Since Extraverts are often energized by other people, it makes sense that they would use social process words, which describe what they regularly do. In all likelihood, they also share a preference for positive emotion words with Feeling personality types, who probably use both positive and negative emotion words more than others do.
Even so, before those of us who love studying personality types get too excited, the study also finds that the correlates are “small in magnitude.” This means that the words are subtle and not easily noticed in everyday speech, unless the laserlike focus of a research group is looking for them. It’s unlikely that we can utilize word usage alone as an Extravert detector. But there are other ways to spot them in the wild. The finding does, however, reinforce the idea of Extraversion and helps solidify its definition even more.
This makes me wonder what other personality traits could be associated with specific words. With 80,000 subjects, this study may be hard to imitate with every trait, but you can bet we’re thinking of other ways to do it.
Your Turn
In the meantime, it might be fun to get your input. What are some words or phrases related to your personality that pop up often in your conversations? For example, as an Advocate (INFJ), I might use “what if,” “should,” “right,” “wrong,” “on my own,” and so on. In the comments below, include your personality type and your choices for words that might be a staple in your vocabulary. If you don’t know your personality type, you can take our free test here.
Further Reading
We’re not finished exploring Extraverts yet. Find out more here:
- Let’s start with a basic question that we hear all the time: Is it better to be an Introvert or an Extravert?
- To understand what Extraverted personality types are, it might help to look at what Extraverted personality types aren’t.
- Are you an Introvert feeling pressured to act like an Extravert? This story is for you: “The ‘Extrovert Ideal’ Didn’t Spark Joy, So I Let It Go.”
- Some people say opposites attract, but can Introvert-Extravert relationships work?
- To explore your Extraverted personality trait in much more detail, try our free Trait Scholar or other Tools & Assessments.