Who are Introverts?
Introverts get
energized by being alone, and their energy is drained as they are around other
people. And they tend to be better observers.
Most people
have a misunderstanding that introverts are those who are shy-natured, which is
a completely wrong perception. It has very little to do with being an
introvert. Shyness and ‘introversion’ are completely unrelated to each other.
The introverts choose to be alone as they enjoy thinking, imagining, and
exploring their thoughts and feeling inside their brain only.
Introverts
are more concerned with the world inside their minds. They often try to avoid
social encounters and being in a crowd, as it drains their energy. They
need some or more time to ‘recharge’ themselves after being with people, at
parties, in traffic, or anywhere else.
When
introverts choose to be alone, it should not be considered a sign of
depression. It simply means that they either need some time to regain their
energy which had been lost while being around people, or they want to be alone
to give some time to their thoughts and inner-self.
According to
some past surveys, Introverts makeup about 60% of the gifted population but
only about 25 to 40% of the general population.
Who are Extroverts?
Extroverts
are people just opposite introverts. Extroverts get energized by being around people
and are drained when being alone.
Generally,
extroverts are friendly by nature and also like outings. They feel boredom when
they are alone. Extroverts usually think best when they are speaking what they
are thinking. They are social and enjoy the company of friends and people
around them.
They can
make talks smaller, while introverts often feel it difficult to present small
talk while talking with people they do not know.
The researchers state that
extroverts make up about 50 to 75 % of the net population.
Things that Extroverts should know
about Introverts -
- Introverts do not need to be alone as they don’t
like anyone’s company, but they need alone time because they need to be
alone. One should never take it personally as ignorance.
- Introverts
are like observers, but it doesn’t mean they are judging someone.
(observing is a part of their nature)
- If
they are sitting quietly while being with a whole group, it doesn’t mean
that they are uninterested in the topics being discussed.
- If they say they are happy and enjoying, then
they are happy and enjoying the moment. It is not generally required in
their cases that they will exhibit or show their enjoyment and interest at
the physical level.
- If we are said to meet or have a conference with several
people, we prefer talking over the phone, text or a social network,
instead of going face-to-face.
- Introverts tend to be very calm and cut off from
the outside world. They never fight to hear of the people, though they may
have a bad temper if their thoughts are forcibly bent or influenced or if
applied a false charge on them.
- They do not feel boredom when they are lonely. It
is the best time for them to get into a different world of imagination
inter-weaved with the real world.
- Introverts are capable of showing themselves as
Extroverts before people.
- They prefer writing instead of speaking to
present their thoughts more effectively and clearly.
- Introverts prefer quiet for concentration.
- They may face trouble while communicating.
- They need to understand the exact cause behind
doing something.
- They need to be asked for their ideas and
opinions.
- They
may know much more than what they reveal or talk about.
- They
need to think and reflect on their thoughts before talking or doing
anything.
- They may feel trouble remembering the face and
names of people.
- They are capable of working well if given little
supervision. They don’t like to go out and socialize with
people.
- They
prefer to live inside their room, house etc only.
- They work better when they are alone.
- They
feel most relaxed being quiet and alone.
- They may carry a caring nature, though they do
not generally reveal it.
- They feel jailed when someone else’s thoughts are
forced on them.
Things that Introverts should know
about Extroverts -
- Extroverts do not understand introversion and
introverts unless they are explained.
- They are unable to read minds and less capable of
catching hints.
- During
a party or function, they may pull you inside the heavy crowd, but sure
you may need to sail and float thereby on your own only.
- Sometimes, the comment from an Extrovert feels
like attacking introverts, though they do not mean it. They only say it
for the sake of wellness and betterment.
- They are good at making small talk and may be
helpful to Introverts to learn this art.
- Extroverts prefer energetic, fast and upbeat
music to introverts.
- They may even put some extra chairs in their home
or office, for the sake of attracting more co-workers to come and work
together.
- Are good in making the communication.
- Like to socialize with their friends, colleagues,
co-workers and everyone.
- They make ideas and thoughts during a discussion
or while thinking as they speak.
- Are
attracted towards other Extroverts.
- Speak even when they are thinking.
- Extroverts may be defined as ‘social butterflies’.
- May lose patience and feel boredom when they are
alone or made to work slowly and repetitively.
- Extroverts usually produce a lot of words in
quantity, though it lacks quality.
- Enjoy
making phone calls, and socializing.
- They like to go with the majority opinion on any
topic.
Introvert V/s Extroverts
Extroverts
and introverts have a lot of behavioural and mental differences. Some studies
have also shown that Introverts and Extroverts were successfully identified and
grouped separately by noticing their external behaviour as well as the movement
taking place in their brains. It will not be wrong to say that Introverts and
Extroverts have different types of brains.
The setup
and wiring of their brains are completely different. In introverts, the front
part of their brain is found to be more active, whereas an Extrovert’s brain is
found more active in its back part. Extroverts charge in socializing and being
around people, whereas, introverts get energised being alone.
Who are found to be happier in their lives among
Extroverts and Introverts?
It has not
been made much clear yet, but most of the past tests and research show that
Extroverts remain happier than Introverts in their lives. However, most of
these tests and research are done based on social activities and interaction
with the outside world and its people etc.
Which type is found to be the most successful out of
Extroverts and Introverts?
Generally,
when an introvert comes into interaction with an extrovert, the introvert may
see the extrovert as a boss and overbearing, while an extrovert may look at an
introvert as a shy-natured person, though shy has little to do with
introversion. The main difference between introverts and shy people is that shy
people avoid social interaction out of fear, shyness or criticism/rejection
phobia, whereas an introvert avoids social interaction just for the sake of
being alone.
There have
been many examples where Extroverts and Introverts have managed to work better
as a team. For example, Steve Jobs(an extrovert), and Steve Wozniak(an
introvert) teamed together and founded Apple Inc.
Why are some people Introverted and others Extrovert?
Some past
theories have proved that defining the genetic traits of introverts and
extroverts depends on the presence and sensitivity of dopamine chemicals in the
brain. Dopamine is simply known as a feel-good chemical that is produced by the
brain.
The
over-sensitivity to dopamine results in introversion, whereas extroversion may
be caused due to insensitivity to dopamine in the brain. The over-sensitivity
of introverts to dopamine does not mean that they are unable to feel and
appreciate excitement. But it does mean that introverts want to withdraw and
let the dopamine levels subside before returning to stimulating activity at
this time. It is due to the cause that introverts can be easily over-stimulated
by the production of too much dopamine.
A few types
of research also claim the connection between over-sensitivity to dopamine and
anorexia; and the connection between insensitivity to dopamine and obesity.
‘Anorexia’ or
‘Anorexia Nervosa’ is an eating disorder that is characterized by immoderate
food restriction an irrational fear of gaining weight, and also a distorted
body self-perception. It even involves excessive weight loss mostly in females.
Symptoms of Anorexia nervosa:
Its symptoms
may include headaches, weakness, dizziness etc.
'Obesity' is another kind of situation,
in which excess fat gets accumulated in the body, to an extent that it may have
various adverse effects on health.
But, the
over-sensitivity or insensitivity to dopamine has not been said to be exactly Anorexia
or Obesity, but only partially related to them.
Introverts, Extroverts, and the Genetics
Past studies
have found that the wiring of the brains of introverts and extroverts is
different. In other words, the blood flows through different paths in the
brains of introverts and extroverts. These dissimilarities appear to be
genetic, rather than acquired traits.
A gene named
as ‘D4DR gene’ in our DNA affects the neurotransmitter dopamine (or the
feel-good chemical produced by the brain), which controls the excitement levels
of a person, and is vital for physical activities, appreciation, and
motivation. A long D4DR gene results in less sensitivity/insensitivity to
dopamine in the brain, whereas a short D4DR gene is responsible for high
sensitivity/oversensitivity to dopamine. Hence, a long D4DR gene is responsible
for extroversion while a short D4DR gene is for introversion.
Introverts have slower thinking, as compared to
Extroverts
Introverts
are found to be slow thinkers as they have slower memory recalling than
extroverts. The brain of an Introvert takes a longer path in the thinking
process. But, in extroverts’ brains, this path is much shorter, which makes
them reach it more quickly than introverts.
Related articles -
Breaking
the Ice: A Guide to Networking for Shy Individuals
Debunking
the Myths: The Truth About Introversion, Shyness, and Social Anxiety Disorder
(If you
have any queries/problems or suggestions related to the post "The
Introverts and Extroverts: Introduction, Definitions and their nature as per
psychology", you're most welcome in comments..!) :)