Introversion is a personality trait characterized by a focus on internal feelings rather than on external sources of stimulation. Introverts and extroverts are often viewed in terms of two extreme opposites, but the truth is that most people lie somewhere in the middle. Being an introvert can be difficult if you let it.
While introverts make up an estimated 25 to 40 percent of the population, there are still many misconceptions about this personality type. It is also important to note that introversion is not the same thing as social anxiety or shyness. Being an introvert does not mean that you are socially anxious or shy.
What is an introvert
Introversion is one of the
major personality traits identified in many
theories of personality.
People
who are introverted tend to be inward
turning, or focused more on internal thoughts, feelings and moods
rather than seeking out external stimulation.
Introversion is generally
viewed as existing as part of a continuum along with extroversion. Introversion indicates one
end of the scale, while extroversion represents the other end.
The terms introversion and extroversion (also often spelled extraversion) were popularized through the work of Carl Jung and later became central parts of other prominent theories including the big 5 theory of personality.
The introversion-extroversion dimension is also one of the four areas identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). According to many theories of personality, everyone has some degree of both introversion and extroversion. However, people often tend to lean one way or the other.
Introverts tend to be more
quiet, reserved, and introspective. Unlike extroverts who gain energy from
social interaction, introverts have to expend energy in social situations.
After attending a party or spending time in a large group of people, introverts
often feel a need to “recharge” by spending a period of time alone.1
.
Causes
In order to know why some
people are introverted and some people are extroverted, it is important to
understand the role that your body’s physiology plays. The way that your body
responds to the outside environment plays a critical role in determining your
level of extroversion and introversion.
The psychologist Hans Eysenck suggested that these
arousal levels could be thought of as a continuum. According to his arousal
theory of extroversion:
15 percent of people have a minimal set point, meaning they naturally have low arousal levels
15 percent of people have a high setpoint, meaning they naturally tend to be more aroused
70 percent of people lie somewhere in the middle of the continuum
According to Eysenck’s theory, introverts are those that have naturally high levels of arousal. Because introverts tend to experience chronically high arousal levels, they tend to seek activities and environments where they can escape from overstimulation.
Because of their naturally high arousal levels, they are more alert and take in more information from the environment.
Common Signs
Do you assume that you know who is an introvert and who isn’t? While you might think of an introvert as a shy wallflower who prefers to stay home alone instead of socializing, introverts can actually come in many types with a wide variety of characteristics.
There are certainly plenty of introverts who are socially reserved and who would prefer to stay home and read a book rather than go to a big party, but there are also plenty of introverts who enjoy socializing.
You might even be surprised to learn that many people who you think of as “social butterflies” might actually be quite introverted.
The following are just a few
of the causes of being an Introvert and what action you can take to break the
trait. .
Being Around Lots of People
Do you ever feel exhausted and drained of energy after spending time with a lot of people? After a day interacting with others, do you often need to retreat to a quiet place and have an extended amount of time all to yourself?
One of the major characteristics of this personality type is that introverts have to expend energy in social situations, unlike extroverts who gain energy from such interactions.
That doesn’t mean that all
introverts avoid social events altogether.
Many introverts actually
enjoy spending time around others, with one key caveat—introverts tend to
prefer the company of close friends. While an extrovert might go to a party
with the goal to meet new people, an introvert intends to spend quality time
talking to good friends.
You Enjoy Solitude
As an introvert, your idea of a good time is a quiet afternoon to yourself to enjoy your hobbies and interests.
A few hours alone with a good
book, a peaceful nature walk or your favorite television program are great
ways to help you feel recharged and energized.
This does not mean that
the average introvert wants to be alone all the time. Many introverts love
spending time with friends and interacting with familiar people in social
situations. The key thing to remember is that after a long day of social
activity, an introvert will probably want to retreat to a quiet place to think,
reflect, and recharge.
If having a few hours to be
alone sounds like your idea of a good time, you just might be an introvert.
You Have a Small Group of Close Friends
One common misconception about introverts is that they don’t like people. While introverts typically do not enjoy a great deal of socializing, they do enjoy having a small group of friends to whom they are particularly close.
Instead of having a large social circle of people they know only on a superficial level, introverts prefer to stick to deep, long-lasting relationships marked by a great deal of closeness and intimacy.
Researchers have found that people high in this trait tend to have a smaller group of friends. While extroverts generally have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, introverts typically choose their friends much more carefully.
Their closest relationships tend to be profound and significant. They also prefer to interact with people on a one-on-one basis rather than in a large group setting.
If your social circle tends
to be small but very close, there’s a pretty good chance you are an introvert.
People Often Describe You as Quiet and Difficult to Get to Know
Introverts are often
described as quiet, reserved, mellow and are sometimes mistaken for being shy.
While some introverts
certainly are shy, people certainly should not mistake an
introvert’s reserve for timidity. In many cases, people with this
personality type simply prefer to choose their words carefully and not waste
time or energy on needless chit-chat.
If you are the quiet type and
a bit reserved, you probably are an introvert.
Too Much Stimulation Leaves You Distracted and Unfocused
When introverts have to spend time in activities or environments that are very hectic, they can end up feeling unfocused and overwhelmed. Extroverts, on the other hand, tend to thrive in situations where there is a lot of activity and few chances of becoming bored.
According to at least one study, researchers have found that introverts tend to be more easily distracted than extroverts, which is part of the reason why introverts tend to prefer a quieter, less harried setting.
If you tend to feel
overwhelmed in busy social situations, you probably tend to be an introvert.
You Are Very Self-Aware
Because introverts tend to be
inward-turning, they also spend a great deal of time examining their own
internal experiences. If you feel like you have a very good knowledge and
insight into yourself, your motivations, and your feelings, you might be more
of an introvert.
Introverts tend to enjoy
simply thinking about and examining things in their own minds. Self-awareness and self-understanding
is important to introverts, so they often devote a great deal of time to
learning more about themselves. This might involve exploring hobbies they
enjoy, thinking about their lives, and reading books that explore themes and
topics that are important to them.
If you feel that you are
self-aware and enjoy gaining deep knowledge about yourself, then you might be
more of an introvert.
You Like to Learn by Closely Observing
Where extroverts tend to
prefer to jump right in and learn through hands-on experience, introverts
typically prefer learning through observation. While extroverts typically
learn through trial and error, introverts learn best by watching.
Introverts like to watch
others perform a task, often repeatedly, until they feel that they can
replicate the actions on their own. When introverts do learn from personal
experience, they prefer to practice somewhere private where they can build
their skills and abilities without having to perform for an audience.
If you like to learn more by
watching rather than doing, there is a chance that you have a more introverted
personality.
You Are Drawn to Jobs That Involve Independence
As you might imagine, jobs that require a great deal of social interaction usually hold little appeal to people high in introversion. On the other hand, careers that involve working independently are often a great choice for introverts.
For example, an introvert might enjoy working as a writer, accountant, computer programmer, graphic designer, pharmacist, or artist.
Introversion vs. Shyness
It is important to note that
introversion does not necessarily equate with shyness. In their book, The Development of Shyness and Social
Withdrawal, authors Schmidt and Buss write, “Sociability
refers to the motive, strong or weak, of wanting to be with others, whereas
shyness refers to behavior when with others, inhibited or uninhibited, as well
as feelings of tension and discomfort.”
Shyness
indicates a fear of people or social situations. Introverts, on the other hand,
simply do not like to spend lots of time interacting with other people.
However, introverts do
appreciate being around people to whom they are close. They find engaging in
“small talk” tedious but do enjoy having deep, meaningful
conversations. Introverts also tend to think about things before talking. They
want to have a full understanding of a concept before they voice an opinion or
try to offer an explanation.
In an excellent article in Atlantic Monthly, author Jonathan
Rauch took on some of the common myths and misconceptions about introverts.
While introverts are often labeled as shy, aloof, and arrogant, Rauch
explains that these perceptions result from the failure of extroverts to
understand how introverts function.
“Extroverts have little or no grasp of introversion,” Rauch suggests. “They assume that company, especially their own, is always welcome. They cannot imagine why someone would need to be alone; indeed, they often take umbrage at the suggestion. As often as I have tried to explain the matter to extroverts, I have never sensed that any of them really understood.”
The bottom line
Attitude is the most important choice any of us will make. We made it yesterday and we get another choice to make it today. And then again tomorrow. The choice to participate. To be optimistic. To intentionally bring out the best in other people.
We make the choice to inquire, to be curious, to challenge the status quo. To give people the benefit of the doubt. To find hope instead of fear in the face of uncertainty. Of course, these are attitudes. What else could they be? And of course, they are a choice. No one does these things to us. We choose them and do the work (and find the benefits) that come with them.
All you get is what you bring to the fight. And that fight
gets better every day you learn and apply new ideas.
Test. Learn. Improve. Repeat.
Mike Schoultz is a digital marketing and customer service expert. With 48 years of business experience, he consults on and writes about topics to help improve the performance of small business. Find him on Facebook, Twitter, Quora, Digital Spark Marketing, and LinkedIn.
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