Do you know someone who needs hours alone every day? Who loves conversations about their ideas or feelings, and can give a dynamite presentation to a big audience, but often seems awkward in groups and maladroit at small talk? Who has to be dragged to parties and then needs the rest of the day to recuperate? Who growls or scowls or grunts or winces when accosted with pleasantries by people who are just trying to be nice? If so, do you redouble your efforts to draw him out? Regard him as aloof, arrogant, rude? Tell this person he is "too serious," or ask if he is okay?
If you answered yes to these questions, chances are that you have an introvert on your hands—and that you aren't caring for him properly. Science has learned a good deal in recent years about the habits and requirements of introverts. It has even learned, by means of brain scans, that introverts process information differently from other people (see the abundant references below).
On the other hand, perhaps a crowded cocktail party feels like a holding cell to you, even as you gamely keep up your end of the chatter -- chances are you're an introvert. Introvert disposition is frequently misconstrued as shyness, social phobia, or even avoidant personality disorder, but many introverts socialize easily; they just strongly prefer not to. In fact, the self-styled introvert can be more empathic and interpersonally connected than his or her outgoing counterparts.
If you are behind the curve on this important matter, be reassured that you are not alone. Introverts may be common, but (spanning all racial, ethnic, religious, economic, and gender lines) they are also among the most misunderstood and aggrieved demographics in America, possibly the world.
I know. I am an introvert.
That said, I have good, well-practiced social skills. Usually. And I am far from shy. I retired from a very successful cyber-security and management consulting career. I enjoy long conversations that explore intimate thoughts or passionate interests. After more than five decades, I now lean into my introversion and enjoy a new liberation from any number of damaging misconceptions and stereotypes. Here, I want to share with you what you might need to know in order to respond sensitively and supportively to your own introverted family members, friends, and colleagues. It is very likely that someone you know, respect, and interact with every day is an introvert, and absent awareness, you are probably creating stress in your relationship or causing unnecessary suffering. If the relationship is important to you, a little awareness can result in great uplift.
What is introversion?
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 extraversion. Introversion indicates one end of the scale, while extraversion represents the other end.
Background: The terms introversion and 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-extraversion 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 extraversion. 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.
- Introverts are also not misanthropic, though many often to agree with Sartre as far as to say "Hell is other people at breakfast." Rather, introverts are people who find other people tiring.
Extroverts are the antithesis of introverts
Extroverts are energized by people, and wilt or fade when alone. They often seem bored by themselves, in both senses of the expression. Leave an extrovert alone for two minutes and he will reach for his cell phone. In contrast, after an hour or two of being "socially on," introverts need to turn off (socially) and recharge.
My own formula is roughly two-three hours alone for every hour of socializing -- JUST TO REGAIN EQUILIBRIUM.
- This isn't antisocial -- although interfering with an introvert's recharge-time may lead to antisocial reactions.
- It isn't a sign of depression -- although denying an introvert the opportunity to recharge can contribute to depression.
- It does not call for medication -- although the wounds inflicted by an introvert forced to be social may require nursing.
- It is certainly not terminal -- ever.
For introverts, to be alone with our thoughts is as restorative as sleeping -- as nourishing as eating. The introvert motto: "I'm okay, you're okay—in measured doses."
How does introversion impact behavior?
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.
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, they do appreciate being around people to whom they are close.
How many people are introverts?
According to estimates, extraverts outnumber introverts by about three to one. Introverts often find that other people try to change them or even suggest that there is something "wrong" with them. Nothing could be further from the truth. While introverts make up a smaller portion of the population, there is no right or wrong personality type. Instead, both introverts and extroverts should strive to understand each other's differences and similarities.
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.
Are introverts misunderstood?
Wildly. "It is very difficult for an extrovert to understand an introvert," write the education experts Jill D. Burruss and Lisa Kaenzig. Extroverts are easy for introverts to understand, because extroverts spend so much of their time working out who they are in voluble, and frequently inescapable, interaction with other people. They are as inscrutable as puppy dogs. But the street does not run both ways. Extroverts have little or no grasp of introversion. 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. They listen for a moment and then go back to barking and yipping.
How can I let the introvert in my life know that I support him and respect him? or her?
- Recognize that:
- Introversion not a choice.
- Introversion not a lifestyle.
- Introversion is an orientation.
- When an introvert is recharging, don't introduce social pressure (or planning) upon him.
- Include recharge-time in your planning when you involve the introvert in your life -- such is an act of loving-kindness (compassion) that is rewarding to both of you.
- Learn the common charactistics of an introvert, they:
- Are territorial – desire private space and time
- Are happy to be alone – they can be lonely in a crowd
- Become drained around large groups of people; dislike attending parties
- Need time alone to recharge
- Prefer to work on own rather than do group work
- Act cautiously in meeting people
- Are reserved, quiet and deliberate
- Do not enjoy being the center of attention
- Do not share private thoughts with just anyone
- Form a few deep attachments
- Think carefully before speaking (practice in my head before I speak)
- See reflection as very important
- Concentrate well and deeply
- Become absorbed in thoughts and ideas
- Limit their interests but explore deeply
- Communicate best one-on-one
- Get agitated and irritated without enough time alone or undisturbed
- Select activities carefully and thoughtfully
(aggregated from: Hirsh & Kummerow, 1989; Keirsey & Bates, 1984; Lawrence, 1985; Myers & Myers, 1980)
Are introverts arrogant? <snark>
Hardly. This common misconception has to do with introverts being more intelligent, more reflective, more independent, more level-headed, more refined, more heroic, more important, and more sensitive than extroverts. is probably due to our lack of small talk, a lack that extroverts often mistake for disdain. We tend to think before talking, whereas extroverts tend to think bytalking, which is why extrovert-lead meetings often tangent from addenda and run long. [Although, to preserve credibility, I stipulate that there are powerful correlating (mis)behaviors that contibute to tangential distractions and marathon meetings, but that is subject for an entirely seperate essay.]
Unfortunately, extroverts have no idea of the torment they visit upon introverts. Sometimes, as introverts gasp for air amid the fog of extroverted 98-percent-content-free talk, introverts wonder if extroverts even bother to listen to themselves.
Still, we endure stoically, because the etiquette books—written, no doubt, by extroverts—regard declining to banter as rude and gaps in conversation as awkward. We can only dream that someday, when introverts are more widely understood, when perhaps an Introverts' Rights Amendment (IRA) movement has blossomed and borne fruit, it will not be impolite to say "I'm an introvert. You are a wonderful person and I like you. But now please shush."
Ostensibly,
Rich@50
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References
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Hirsh, S. & Kummerow, J. (1989). Life types. New York: Warner Books
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Killgore, William DS, et al. "The trait of Introversion–Extraversion predicts vulnerability to sleep deprivation." Journal of sleep research 16.4 (2007): 354-363.
Myers, I.B. & Myers, P.B. (1980). Gifts differing. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press
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