Understanding an introvert

 

In today’s world, it can be very hard to be an introvert. Introverts face many struggles, as we navigate extrovert-biased social situations. Often, introverts feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the sheer pressure to be more extroverted. 

One challenge we face is that introverts like to have ample alone time to recharge and feel at our best. Unfortunately, not everyone understands this. Introverts may also feel awkward in social gatherings, especially when there’s a lot of small talk involved. In fact, our disdain for small talk may lead us to avoid meeting new people altogether. 

Some might think of this as a ‘weird’ or ‘antisocial’ behavior, but for introverts it is a means of survival. 

If you’re an introvert and you can relate, remember you’re not alone (as much as you’d like to be). There are millions of introverts out there who face several challenges. 

That’s why I’ve put together a list of the top problems introverts will understand.

Carl Jung was one of the first people to define the terms introvert and extrovert in a psychological context. Jung (1923) described extroverts as preferring to engage with the outside world of objects, sensory perception, and action. Introverts he described as being more focused on the internal world of reflection, are thoughtful and insightful

Signs You Might Be an Introvert

• Energized by being alone
• Enjoy solitude
• Tends to keep emotions private
• Quiet and reserved in large groups or around unfamiliar people
• Feel drained by people, and need privacy
• Process their thoughts in their head rather than talk them out
• Learns well through observation

How does introversion and extroversion impact behavior?

Happiness

Myers (1992) found a significant correlation between extroversion and self-reported levels of happiness. Extroverts also tend to report experiencing more positive emotions, whereas introverts are more neutral.

Likewise, Swickert et al., (2004) found that extroverts reported higher levels of self-esteem than introverts in their study. Fleeson et al., (2002) found that participants which were instructed to act extroverted, led to an increase in positive affect, even for those who described themselves as introverted.

Intelligence

Furnham, Forde and Cotter (1998) found a positive association with introversion and levels of intelligence and being successful in academic environments. However, Eysenck (1996) perceived extroversion to be a predictor of high grades at school, but lower grades at university level.

Work Performance

In the workplace, extroverts are more likely to take on leadership roles since they are more likely to assert themselves in group situations (McCabe & Fleeson, 2012). In contrast, it would make sense to believe that introverts would work well at jobs with less social interaction, or jobs with more independent work such as writing, engineering or accounting.

In a seemingly extrovert-dominated world, introverts can often wish they can be more extroverted and try to go against what is their most comfortable behavior in order to be accepted or achieve more.

Differences in the Brain

There have been many studies on the brain when it comes to introversion and extroversion, investigating whether there are any biological differences between them.

Stenberg, Risberg, Warkentin and Rosen (1990) found that introverts have higher levels of blood flow to their frontal lobes than extroverts. The frontal lobe is responsible for memory, problem solving and planning, therefore it could be interpreted that introverts have higher functioning in these areas than extroverts.

 

 

Reference

Guy-Evans, O. (2021, Feb 09). Introvert and extrovert personality Traits. Simply Psychology. www.simplypsychology.org/introvert-extrovert.htmEysenck, H. I. (1996). Personality and crime: Where do we stand. Psychology, Crime and Law, 2(3), 143-152.

Eysenck, H. J. (1947). Student selection by means of psychological tests—a critical survey. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 17(1), 20-39.

Eysenck, H. J. (1966). Personality and experimental psychology. Bulletin of the British Psychological Society.

Eysenck, H. J. (1967). Personality and extra-sensory perception. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research.

Fleeson, W., Malanos, A. B., & Achille, N. M. (2002). An intraindividual process approach to the relationship between extroversion and positive affect: Is acting extroverted as" good" as being extroverted?. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 83(6), 1409.

McCabe, K. O., & Fleeson, W. (2012). What is extroversion for? Integrating trait and motivational perspectives and identifying the purpose of extroversion. Psychological Science, 23(12), 1498-1505.

McCrae, R. R. (2002). NEO-PI-R data from 36 cultures. In The five-factor model of personality across cultures (pp. 105-125). Springer, Boston, MA.

Myers, D. G. (1992). The secrets of happiness. Psychology Today, 25(4), 38-45.

Ryckman, R. M. (2004). Theories of personality Belmont. CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

Swickert, R., Hittner, J. B., Kitos, N., & Cox-Fuenzalida, L. E. (2004). Direct or indirect, that is the question: a re-evaluation of extroversion's influence on self-esteem. Personality and Individual Differences, 36(1), 207-217.