What you need to know about introverts (and extroverts)
When you hear the term ‘introvert’, what comes to mind? A reclusive hermit who is socially awkward? This is a misleading image that conceals reality. Introversion may not be what you think.
Topics in this article
Introvert Definition
Social situations can be challenging. Large groups of people might suit someone’s extroverted side. Shy people may struggle with small talk. You may be someone who enjoys spending time with close friends and good listeners.
Personality refers to the ways people differ in their thoughts, emotions and behaviours. These characteristics can influence social preferences. A widely-held view is that personality is built from five elements (‘the big five’) that remain relatively stable over time. Extroversion is one of these components with the others being:
Agreeableness- Attitudes towards other people and how you approach relationships (e.g., suspicious vs trusting).
Openness- Willingness to have new experiences, and level of creativity (e.g., thinking outside the box).
Conscientiousness- The degree to which people can control themselves to get things done.
Neuroticism- Level of emotional stability.
Each of these elements exists on a scale or continuum as ‘amounts’. Because of this, labelling people as introverts OR extroverts is a little bit misleading. Instead, think of the five elements as cups where each person has a particular amount of liquid in each.
People who are low on extraversion are typically drawn towards their inner experiences. These individuals tend to prefer lower levels of social and activity stimulation (1). Introverts are also characterised by the following:
Tend to focus on intellectual and imaginative aspects of inner experiences. Examples of this include using imagination, curiosity, creativity, reflection, and intellectual engagement.
Not highly motivated by ‘rewards’ (e.g., attention, praise) that come from activities and interactions with others.
May be easily tired or overwhelmed by social interactions, needing quiet time to recharge.
Comfortable with time alone. Solitude is often welcomed as an opportunity to think and reflect, read a book, or go for a walk.
Tend to have a smaller group of friends.
A preference for one-to-one interactions with little desire to be the centre of attention in social settings.
Our place on the extroversion continuum is also determined by enthusiasm and assertiveness levels (2). The former is all about sociability and positive emotions, while assertiveness is the pursuit of social status. Extroverts tend to rate highly on these dimensions.
More about this topic, including a 20-item questionnaire in this article by Scott Kaufman.
Introvert test
Questionnaires are available to assess where a person sits on the extraversion continuum. Well-known examples are the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ).
Other tests have been developed but you should be careful when using measures of introversion. Many ‘tests’ are not scientifically validated or don’t provide sufficient information for independent scrutiny.
Think about why you want to take a test. Well-validated questionnaires can be helpful to people who want to ‘label’ their experiences.
For a deeper understanding and solving difficulties, it might be more helpful to work with an appropriately trained professional. I have worked with several low-extravert people who have struggled to feel ok with their preferences for ‘me-time’ and quiet environments.
This type of struggle is common but thankfully there are strategies to help address this issue.
Introvert extrovert
As mentioned above, extroversion exists on a continuum. There are few, if any, people who are pure introverts or extroverts. Instead, people sit somewhere on this line.
Many of us exhibit a range of features, some of which look like extroversion and others that are associated with introversion. You may see yourself as an extroverted introvert and vice versa. Many people who are low on extroversion have learned ways to act extroverted (or ‘fake it’) when a situation requires that approach.
Ambivert
Ambivert is the term given to people who exhibit characteristics of both introverts and extroverts. In other words, they sit around the midpoint of the extrovert continuum.
Ambivert goes by different names, including ‘introverted extrovert’.
Omnivert
Omnivert describes a person with an ability to move flexibly between introversion and extroversion traits. This is a powerful attribute when combined with an ability to accurately ‘read the room’ (understand what qualities are required in a particular situation). The omnivert concept has received little research attention and needs scientific investigation to assess its legitimacy.
Extrovert
Neither introversion nor extroversion is good or bad.
However, extroversion is highly valued in some societies. In fact, author Susan Cain says that society is geared towards supporting extroversion and associated behaviours. But introversion brings many advantages, as discussed in her Ted Talk video.
Cain has made an important contribution to helping low extraversion individuals find the positives of their personality characteristics.
There are many facets to extroversion and there is more diversity amongst high extroversion people than you might have realised. This is nicely summed up by Katherine Lucas in her presentation in the video.
If you want to learn more about extroversion and introversion, there are a couple of books I would recommend reading:
Susan Cain’s book ‘Quiet’.
Joan Pastor’s book ‘Success as an introvert for dummies’ gives some helpful tips and advice for those of us who are low on extraversion.
Related topics
Here are some relevant articles related to introversion:
A discussion on social anxiety
An article on questions to ask your partner if you have difficulty getting a conversation going
Monachopsis may be a concept that some introverts can relate to
Introvert quotes
“I think a lot, but I don’t say much.” Anne Frank
“People empty me. I have to get away to refill.” C. Bukowski
“Quiet people have the loudest minds.” Stephen Hawking
We are Coaching & Clinical Psychologists with extensive experience helping people conquer a range of wellbeing and performance issues at home and in the workplace. We can also support those identifying with introversion. Read more about our work, watch practical skills videos or browse other articles. Get in touch anytime.
References
(1) Cain, S (2012). Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. London: Penguin.
(2) DeYoung, C. G., Quilty, L. C., & Peterson, J. B. (2007). Between facets and domains: 10 aspects of the big five. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 93(5), 880-896.