WHAT IS IT?
Introversion is a personality trait characterized by a focus on internal feelings rather than on external sources of stimulation.
While you might think of an introvert as a shy person.
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 a lot of introverts who enjoy socializing. Not all of them will show the same psychological characteristics.
TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Need to recharge: Being around lots of people drains their energy. Extroverts gain energy in social situations, but introverts expend it. Extroverts like to go to big parties and meet new people, while introverts prefer to stay with close friends.Enjoy solitude: They enjoy being alone: their idea of a good time is an afternoon to yourself to enjoy your hobbies and interests. A few hours alone with a good book, a peaceful nature walk or your favourite television program are great ways to help you feel recharged and energized.
Deep thinkers and analyzers: Introverts are ‘in their own head’ much of the time. It’s a safe place to be for them. Inside their heads, they engage in deep conversations, ruminate about life, the universe, and everything.
Know themselves: Introverts know what they like and don’t like. They are deeply connected with their values and know what they want to get out of life. Strong self confidence.
Easily distracted: Extroverts are more easily bored than introverts on monotonous tasks, probably because they require high levels of stimulation. While extroverts tend to get bored easily when they don't have enough to do, introverts have the opposite problem -- they get easily distracted and overwhelmed in environments with an excess of stimulation.
Have more intimate conections: You must gain their confidence in order to enter their world. If you achieve it, you can bet that they believe you’re someone special. By bringing down barriers, an introvert is letting you know they’re interested in connecting with you beyond a superficial level. They’re displaying a level of intimacy and vulnerability that not many people get to see. They are very sensitive and know who they want to spend their time with.
Superpower = good listeners and loyals: Any relationship requires an investment of time and energy. They’ll defend you and be at your side when others won’t, but don’t take advantage of them too many times if you don’t want to lose them.
Take care of the others: Because they know what it is like to be on the outside looking in, introverts are great at taking care of those they care about. They are generous and altruists.
Feel they don't fit in: Still trying to find their place in the world
PREFER TO TALK TO A PUBLIC THAN HAVING TO MINGLE WITH THOSE PEOPLE AFTERWARDS!?!?
Introverts can be excellent leaders and public speakers. Performers and an 40 % percent of Chief Executive Officers have introverted personalities.
WHAT DO THEY LIKE?
1. To notice details that others don't
They often have a keen eye for detail, noticing things that may escape others around them. Researchers found that introverts exhibit increased brain activity when processing visual information, as compared to extroverts.
2. To write
Introverts are often better at communicating in writing than in person and it is a form to talk with theirselves.
3. Deep conversations
Introverts prefer deeper conversations, oftentimes about philosophical ideas. Small talk stresses them out, while deeper conversations make them feel alive.
In fact, some screen their phone calls, even from their friends, because the ringing forces them to abandon focus on a current project or thought. And most phone conversations require a certain level of small talk that introverts avoid.
4. To work on their own
Rather than do group work
5. To plan
A 1999 study found that the patterns of blood flow inside introverted and extroverted brains are different, the prioritize different functions:
The brains of introverts had greater blood flow through the frontal lobes and the anterior thalamus — areas associated with planning ahead, solving problems, remembering the past…
Meanwhile, the brains of extroverts tended to focus blood in the posterior thalamus, the anterior cingulate gyrus, and the temporal lobes — areas that help us interpret the data that our senses take in from the outside world.
Introverted people are more active during the morning while the extroverts work on the contrary.
MYTHS
...DON’T LIKE TO TALK
This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.
...ARE SHY
While some introverts certainly are shy, people certainly should not mistake an introvert's reserve for timidity. Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact.
... DON’T LIKE PEOPLE
They have a small group of close friends. Instead of having a large social circle of people they know only on a superficial level. Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand.
...DON’T KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine.
... ARE RUDE
They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.
...ALWAYS WANT TO BE ALONE
Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They make an authentic connection with ONE PERSON at a time.
...ARE WEIRD
Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.
THE INTROVERT ADVANTAGE
According to Martin Olsen Laney, author of The Introvert Advantage, published in 2002 there are several advantages to being an introvert:
- maintain long-term friendships
- flexible
- independent
- strong ability to concentrate
- self-reflective
- responsible
- creative
- analytical skills
- studious and smart
- work well with others