How To Understand And Recognize An Introvert?

When we judge a person as having an introverted character, most of us mistakenly assume that this person is not like us. Indeed, introverts and extroverts are often seen as two opposite extremes. The truth is that most people fall somewhere in the middle. 30-50% of the population is made up of introverts. Gandhi, Einstein, Roosevelt, and Mother Teresa were introverted people, just like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Clint Eastwood today.

It is important to note that introversion is not the same as shyness, social anxiety, or lack of self-confidence. Being an introverted person, and after reading Susan Cain's book, " The Force of the Discreet", I finally stopped torturing my mind to believe that introversion was a big flaw and worse, a mental illness.

What is an introvert?

Introversion is one of the main personality traits identified in many personality theories. The introversion-extraversion relationship is also one of the four domains identified in the Myers-Briggs Type (MBTI) personality profiles.

Introverts tend to be more reserved, solitary, calm, and thoughtful. They tend to focus more on internal feelings, thoughts, and moods rather than seeking external stimulation. Unlike an extroverted person who draws his energy from social interactions and who likes to reach out to others, introverts expend their energy.

According to many personality theories, everyone possesses some degree of introversion and extroversion with some propensity to lean to one side or the other. It was Carl Jung who, through his work, popularized the terms introversion and extraversion. They later became central elements of other important theories like the Five-Factor Theory of Personality (Big Five).

Why am I introverted?

To find out why some people are extroverted and others introverted, it is important to understand the role that the physiology of our body plays. Indeed, the way the body reacts to the external environment plays an essential role.

The reticular activating system (RAS) is a network of neurons located in the brainstem. This set of neuronal fibers is responsible for regulating levels of arousal. It also plays a role in controlling how much information you can process while awake. SAR increases your arousal level when faced with a potential threat in the environment. You must be alert and ready to face danger.

Each person has a level of arousal that is unique to us. Some naturally tend to have a much higher level of arousal, while others have a much lower level of arousal.

According to the theory of psychologist Hans Eysenck:

15% have naturally low levels of arousal;

15% naturally tend to be more excited;

70% of people fall somewhere in the middle.

Introverts are those who have naturally high arousal levels. Due to their level of arousal, they are more alert and pick up more information from their surroundings. This is why they tend to seek out activities and situations where they can be left alone and escape this overstimulation.

How do recognize an introvert?

Here are some of the signs that may indicate that you are introverted.

1. Being around lots of people drains your energy.

One of the main characteristics of this personality type is that introverts expend too much of their energy in social situations. This doesn't mean they constantly avoid social events, but they tend to prefer spending quality time talking to good friends.

2. You like solitude

After a long day of socializing, an introvert will likely want to retreat to a quiet place to reflect, internalize, and recharge. As an introvert, there's nothing extravagant about your idea of ​​a good time. All it takes is a quiet afternoon for yourself, away from the gaze of others. A time when you can enjoy your hobbies and interests and then help you feel recharged and energized.

3. You have a small group of close friends

Chances are you're introverted if your circle of friends tends to be small and very close. Introverts prefer to stick to lasting and deep human relationships marked by more closeness and intimacy. Additionally, they prefer interacting with others individually rather than in a large group.

4. People often describe you as calm

You are probably introverted if you are one of the quiet people, you are a reserved person and you find it difficult to let go. Introverts are often described as asocial, individualistic, gentle, and sometimes mistaken for shy. While some introverts are quite shy, an introvert's reserve shouldn't be confused with shyness. In many cases, they just prefer to choose their words carefully and not waste energy or time on pointless chatter.

5. Too much stimulation distracts you and ruins your concentration

You're probably introverted if you tend to feel overwhelmed by hectic social situations. When introverts spend time in busy activities or environments, they can end up feeling uncomfortable and oversensitive. Extroverts, on the other hand, love to thrive in situations where there's a lot of movement and little chance of getting bored.

Conclusion

Hhaving an introverted temperament has its advantages. You are less likely to do something silly like insulting someone whose opinion is different from yours. Because you like to think, you're less likely to be bored when you're alone. The only danger is that people who don't know you might imagine that you feel superior to others.