Opposites attract?

Earlier today I was mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, avoiding writing my blogpost since I hadn’t been struck with an idea for anything original or thought provoking to write about yet. To my surprise, I an article caught my attention titled, “Can an Introvert and an Extrovert Really Date?” posted on, ironically, a website titled GuyCode (http://www.mtv.com/news/2049490/introvert-extravert-date/). Although not a very academically prestigious or credible source, the article provided inspiration and presented an interesting question that our class reading and discussion had not touched on. The articles we read described how introvert and extroverts work together and socialize, but never how these opposite personality traits could effect a romantic relationship. I had never thought about whether or not the saying “opposites attract” holds true when it comes to the case of introversion and extroversion. The article used two therapists as sources, who provide their thoughts on the degree of success people can have in these types of relationships. One of them, Dr.  Jacob, shared his thought that the topic is not black and white, but rather that “introversion and extroversion exists more on a scale-with certain people existing on far sides of the spectrum.” This was a similar thought that I had while reading the articles for Monday and identifying myself as having traits associated with both types of personalities. This was one reason both therapists gave as evidence that relationships can work, simply due to the fact that most people are not simply one or the other, but change depending on their environment. However, there can be large obstacles for couples who tend to fall on opposite sides of the spectrum. For example, the more extroverted in the pair may prefer going out regularly and socializing with others. They may grow frustrated when the introvert prefers to stay in and enjoys quiet, less social settings. A situation similar to that described by Siri Carpenter in “The Confidence Game” could arise: the introvert could become a “pathological apologizer” and allow the extrovert to obtain most of the power in the relationship because they are “painfully averse to inconveniencing others…and that includes any sort of confrontation, no matter how mild” (Carpenter 193). After reading the article, I do not believe that where someone falls on this social scale is a reason to choose not to be in a relationship with them, but it could make it a more challenging relationship for the couple.