Outer-directed

Outer-directed describes a personality or behavior pattern where an individual's actions, decisions, and sense of self are primarily shaped by external factors, such as the opinions of others, societal norms, or readily available information. These individuals often prioritize fitting in, seeking approval, and adhering to external standards over their own internal values, intuition, or intrinsic motivations. They are heavily influenced by the outside world, making them receptive to trends, peer pressure, and the judgment of others, potentially at the expense of their personal authenticity and independent thought.

Outer-directed meaning with examples

• Sarah, highly outer-directed, constantly checked social media to gauge what was 'in' before choosing her clothes, hobbies, and even career path, always seeking validation from online trends.
• During the meeting, John, outer-directed, readily agreed with his boss's suggestions, even if he had personal reservations, prioritizing the manager's approval over his professional concerns.
• Maria's tendency to seek the advice of every acquaintance, even on trivial matters, showed her outer-directed nature; she struggled to trust her own judgment in favour of following outside voices.
• The marketing campaign preyed on outer-directed consumers, promising social acceptance through the purchase of a specific product, designed to align with current lifestyle desires.