What is an Introvert?

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Basically, an introvert is a person who is reserved, quiet, and solitary. Introversion and its opposite, extroversion, form the ends of a continuum that describes one aspect of every person's personality. The concept of introversion and extroversion, also spelled extraversion, was popularized by the work of psychologist Carl Jung.

Jung described an introvert as a person whose psychic energy is directed inward. While most modern day psychologists do not believe in the existence of "psychic energy" per se, they agree that an introvert is more concerned with and interested in his or her own thoughts than in the external world. Introverts often come off as shy and prefer to spend time on their own or with one or two close friends. The introvert typically feels more energy and can work more productively when alone.

While it is generally considered more desirable to be an extrovert in Western society, and extroverted traits are encouraged, being an introvert has significant benefits. Introverts often excel in higher education, in which the ability to spend large amounts of time with one's own thoughts is a great asset. Introverts are often capable of forming very deep and close friendships.

Psychologist Hans Eysenck postulated that the introvert experiences more brain activity than the extrovert and is therefore constantly at a higher state of stimulation without turning to external sources. Therefore, the large crowds of people that the extrovert is bored without can be overstimulating to the introvert or difficult for the introvert to pay attention to. One study showed that the introvert experiences greater blood flow in areas of the brain controlling logic and problem-solving.

There are some drawbacks to being an introvert as well. Introverts often find it difficult to make friends with others and may become lonely. They may find events with large groups of people uncomfortable and may be perceived as rude or stand-offish. Introverts will probably not excel in careers in which engaged personal interaction with strangers is essential. A study by psychologist David Myers found that introverts are less likely to be "happy" than extroverts, although the reason for the correlation is unclear.

If you are unsure whether or not you are an introvert, there are self-tests available in many books and online to help you determine where you fall along the spectrum. Keep in mind, however, that most people are somewhat of a combination of introvert and extrovert.

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6
I totally agree with Jung's theory of introvert and energy connection. i am an introvert and it's totally wrong that introverted people are shy.

as for public communication, i can talk to anyone with confidence. I don't like much gatherings or social groups because i'm getting all my energy from inward, and in groups i don't get back the same amount of energy. i prefer to be myself and my inner is all source of energy.

- anon58109
5
I did not understand who an introvert is until my boyfriend asked me then I decided to check on the net and found the meaning which really spoke about me. I have just found out I'm an introvert. I'm very shy, quiet, and love to be on my own. I do not have friends. I prefer to be on my own. I like going out for quiet dinners but not to events with lots of people as this is not for me. If I have to go for parties, I always sit at the corner just observing what is going on. I don't know how to make friends and when I make them, I can't keep them. Most of the time I'm very lonely because I'm all by myself. Sometimes I really, really feel sad but I can't do anything about it as that is who I am.
- anon40457
4
I feel a lot like anon22031 does on being an introvert. After 9 1/2 hours at work as being a legal assistant and being forced to listen to 100 people's stories a day, I am exhausted!!! All I wanna do is not talk to anyone and read or zonk out to the tv. My boyfriend does not understand this, and people in his family think I am a snob for not being social. I am not a snob, I just can't find the energy to chit chat about their kids, finances, or jobs for hours on end. I do not have many friends, but I really don't care that I don't. I like being alone and I don't need to apologize for it.
- anon37945
3
well being an introvert, one, I *never* appreciate parties outside not like anon2203 who goes dancing, me at the school even I am attending those parties I never dance or what else I prefer sitting alone at one side observing my friends and my classmates. And always find it boring.

At home I prefer being alone thinking of some lines that I can use for my masterpieces or just hum for a song. We are 3 in the family and we all prefer to be alone, we do not talk to strangers or even to our family members...We choose someone who can understand us...and for us, my idea in why we have introverted ones is that they cannot easily find persons to open to or maybe the environment which they belong.

- shinyenjung
2
I never gave much thought to introvert vs extrovert until my 16 yr old son died. The extremes of this personality trait came out in both myself & my spouse. We grew apart. He was out socializing every chance he could, talking to anyone who would listen(including the divorcee down the road), which I saw as rejection? He did not want to be with me after all. Where was I? Wrapped up in my favorite chair and a book! My escape. Only now 3 yrs later, and a marriage gone bad, am I understanding why we parted ways.
- anon29020
1
I am a shy introvert. Although I have become less shy with exposure, therapy, and social skills training, I have definite introverted traits. I always thought that once I became less shy that I would automatically love to socialize a lot and do parties, etc. While these things can be fun, my life is not centered around constant socialization. It’s centered around ideas, learning, new experiences and creativity.

I don’t feel the need to be social with people as often as my significant other, for instance. He seems connected to his cell phone, and talks to people every night. Every night! He’s the only person, aside from work colleagues, that I speak to each day. It should also be noted that I have very few friends and acquaintances owing to my shy and introverted nature. He seems to have the need to be talking to somebody, anybody, most of the time. I just don’t get that. I’m fine with not talking to anyone for weeks at a time, and I definitely rarely chat up random strangers as he does. On public transportation or waiting in lines, I generally care not to speak to anyone or be spoken to. Usually in these situations I’m pretty cranky anyway. Additionally, there are certain people I don’t call because I know I’ll be on the phone for hours. Unless the conversation is about movies, books, preferences, juicy gossip, politics or something deep and controversial, I’m not particularly interested in talking to you. I also prefer weird and/or funny people. Unfortunately, most people aren’t that interesting, I include myself.

Crowds bother me, I prefer the company of a few close friends, and although I enjoy a dance party, cocktail parties are difficult for me to tolerate for more than an hour or so. I think the emphasis on superficial talk and being asked those routine questions over and over again infuriates me. Once I’ve been asked what I do for a living for the 100th time (Marketing, go figure) I want to scream. All the truly interesting things to talk about are verboten for small talk. No politics, no esoteric things (i.e., I am fascinated by deviant psychology and know a lot about sociopaths), no fun nerding out on movies you’ve seen. Dry accounting of my last trip (I went to S.F., we did this, we did that, we stayed here and here is X miles from this place, *YAWN*)

If I am pushed beyond my introverted limits, I began to space out, and start imagining myself at home doing something solitary. I am not beyond pulling out a pencil and note pad or even a book to mentally transport me away from extrovertville. I find such activities as fun and stimulating to me as having a gaggle of people around chatting is to an extrovert. At the end of a long day at work, I am often uncommunicative at home, preferring instead to surf the net, read, or watch TV. This time is precious to me; crucial in fact, as I decompress and regain the energy lost during a full day of meetings and chit chat.

I have always been like this. Even though I was shy as a youngster, I did not long for popularity. I just wanted to be able to talk to whomever I wanted, speak up in class if I had a question, and stand up for myself without feeling like my chest was imploding and my face was on fire. I saw the “cool” kids and wannabes for what they were. I had no desire to denigrate myself trying to fit in with a certain crowd. I loved art and language, and these were my overriding concerns as a young girl. I’m glad, for that. I recognize so many of the extroverted need for approval and desire to please others as a weakness that has led so many teenagers into smoking, early pregnancy, and drug abuse.

These are definite drawbacks to extroversion.

- anon22031

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Written by Niki Foster
Last Modified: 30 December 2009

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