And the same qualities that make introverts great listeners also make them great partners, according to Kahnweiler. Introverts also like to get to know someone before sharing intimate details with a prospective partner, and it can make them appear more appealing in the early stages of relationships. Being in a large group where the goal is to meet, talk and make a good first impression can be overwhelming for many — especially for introverts.
But Buelow says they can use their natural strengths to create meaningful connections. But Buelow says the strength in networking is not necessarily in numbers. Introverts, she says, should focus on learning about people they meet — even if they only connect with a handful of people. This type of active listening and follow-up can be a lot more beneficial than simply handing out 50 business cards, she says.
Helgoe says introverts can make the best leaders — when they channel their natural strengths. And employees who feel recognized tend to be more motivated, she says.
And since introverts process information more slowly and thoughtfully than their extroverted counterparts, introverted leaders tend to learn more about their subordinates, according to Kahnweiler. Some evidence suggests introverted people might experience emotions more intensely and have trouble managing those emotions. This greater sensitivity could help explain why many introverts develop depression.
Learn more about the complex link between introversion and depression. A heightened sensitivity to emotions and other stimuli can factor into your preference for spending your time with loved ones who recognize and understand your need for space and solitude. You want to share your energy with people you can trust not to overwhelm you, in other words.
Introversion, like other aspects of personality, develops as a combination of two main factors: genes and environment. Your genetic makeup, or traits inherited from your biological parents, plays a key role in determining where you fall on the personality continuum.
The environment you grow up in also has an important impact. In short, observing how family members behave and respond in social settings can help shape your personality. In short, extroverts get a jolt of satisfaction or energy from social interactions because of dopamine.
Introverts, by contrast, might simply feel overstimulated. In another study from , researchers considered data from , participants living in 73 parts of the world. Their results suggest a link between dopamine function and personality traits like extroversion and neuroticism — in stressful or demanding climates only.
Researchers theorized this may have something to do with risk avoidance. People with a high-functioning dopamine system might pursue the reward of connection regardless of the risk involved. Those with a less functioning dopamine system, on the other hand, might feel more inclined to avoid others to increase their personal sense of safety. You can certainly be both shy and introverted. That said, shyness and introversion represent two distinct traits.
So yes, you can be a shy extrovert. Shyness often fades as you adjust to a new situation and become comfortable in your surroundings. For example, you might not feel much like striking up a conversation on the first day of school, but by the second week, you might feel relaxed enough to chat with classmates. Consistent acceptance from others can also help ease feelings of shyness going forward.
Introversion, however, remains more of a fixed part of your personality. A few common ones include:. The key thing to remember is that after a long day of social activity, an introvert will probably want to retreat to a quiet place to think, reflect, and recharge. If having a few hours to be alone sounds like your idea of a good time, you just might be an introvert. One common misconception about introverts is that they don't like people. While introverts typically do not enjoy a great deal of socializing, they do enjoy having a small group of friends to whom they are particularly close.
Instead of having a large social circle of people they know only on a superficial level, introverts prefer to stick to deep, long-lasting relationships marked by a great deal of closeness and intimacy.
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. If your social circle tends to be small but very close, there's a pretty good chance you are an introvert.
Introverts are often described as quiet, reserved, mellow and are sometimes mistaken for being shy. While some introverts certainly are shy, people certainly should not mistake an introvert's reserve for timidity. In many cases, people with this personality type simply prefer to choose their words carefully and not waste time or energy on needless chit-chat. If you are the quiet type and a bit reserved, you probably are an introvert.
When introverts have to spend time in activities or environments that are very hectic, they can end up feeling unfocused and overwhelmed. Extroverts, on the other hand, tend to thrive in situations where there is a lot of activity and few chances of becoming bored.
If you tend to feel overwhelmed in busy social situations, you probably tend to be an introvert. Because introverts tend to be inward-turning, they also spend a great deal of time examining their own internal experiences.
If you feel like you have a very good knowledge and insight into yourself, your motivations, and your feelings, you might be more of an introvert. Introverts tend to enjoy simply thinking about and examining things in their own minds. Self-awareness and self-understanding is important to introverts, so they often devote a great deal of time to learning more about themselves.
This might involve exploring hobbies they enjoy, thinking about their lives, and reading books that explore themes and topics that are important to them. If you feel that you are self-aware and enjoy gaining deep knowledge about yourself, then you might be more of an introvert.
Where extroverts tend to prefer to jump right in and learn through hands-on experience, introverts typically prefer learning through observation. While extroverts typically learn through trial and error, introverts learn best by watching. Introverts like to watch others perform a task, often repeatedly, until they feel that they can replicate the actions on their own.
When introverts do learn from personal experience, they prefer to practice somewhere private where they can build their skills and abilities without having to perform for an audience. If you like to learn more by watching rather than doing, there is a chance that you have a more introverted personality.
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.
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, introverts do appreciate being around people to whom they are close. They find engaging in "small talk" tedious but do enjoy having deep, meaningful conversations. Introverts also tend to think about things before talking.
They want to have a full understanding of a concept before they voice an opinion or try to offer an explanation. Dating as a social introvert. Thinking introvert. More introspective than the average introvert Will lean toward activities that provide a "mental haven" for thinking: studying, reading, researching, musical pursuits, or other creative activities Generally not reactive and will often pause to think before offering a response to a question Super self-aware.
Dating as a thinking introvert. Anxious introvert. Typically appear at least mildly nervous in most situations May appear highly avoidant and rude Will avoid social interactions at all costs. Dating as an anxious introvert. Restrained introvert. Move at a slower, more methodical pace in all things Tend to enjoy predictable activities Often unemotional. Dating as a restrained introvert.
What type of introvert are you? Stephanie Barnes mbg Contributor. She studied Information Technology from the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean and spent several years as a More On This Topic Spirituality.
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