Well before I knew anything about personality theory -- or much of anything at all -- I noticed there were two basic types of personality people would portray; reserved and quiet, and energetic and outspoken. Fellow students and teachers would either be one or the other for more extended periods of time. I even noticed my dogs exhibiting an extremely similar, and very obvious, version of this personality difference.
I was sold on the idea of introversion vs. extraversion. I have never been able to extravert for very long without somatisizing it into a headache or stomach trouble. However, I've only very rarely been shy, and even more rarely been considered anything other than a loudmouth. Well, I am, I guess, but my extraversion is simply a tool and a ruse.
The reality is that, for every four or so hours of intense extraversion, I need about five to eight hours of supplemental sound sleep and a couple hours of extra 'alone time' to recover. Yes, I've actually figured that out. :D Though I love an interesting conversation, people suck the life force out of me, and until a few years ago, I never understood exactly why.
The introverts I've been close to in my life haven't been terribly shy, except one or two. However, I've known shy extraverts, and they were the type of person that, once accustomed to the fact you weren't going to humiliate them in some way, would be non-stop boisterous.
This may not be scientific, but it's what I've personally experienced. Whether or not the idea/hypothesis of introversion and extraversion holds any water scientifically, I don't know, but I thought I'd read several studies had been done.
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