What is Introversion?

[baktun]

 

[tr1ll]

@ "I have almost a quarter century of experience of being an introvert."

 

[RIP sleazyy]

Great thread, INTP checking in.

 

[currensy]

That top 10 myth thing got me down to a T.

Good thread.

 

[C.Magneto]

I am in a profession where I cannot avoid working with people, and I need to be affable, charming, sociable etc. You are missing the point of this thread, to dispel some of those misconceptions. Being shy and being an introvert and not mutually inclusive. There are "extroverts" who are shy and horrible with people.

Not dispel the valid points you've made made, but how you view yourself and how others view you are two different things entirely. If you work in a field where others consider you "social,charming, and affable" chances are you aren't an" introvert" as much as you'd like to think you are. I'll give you a siimile, most humans are lazy by nature, but they know hard work is a necessity for success. Does that make them hard working even though they are naturally lazy? Not trying to take away from your post or anything bro, but people are genetically wired to be social and communicate. Chances are if they're an introvert (not saying this is your case) they are socially inept, and they are looking for a clinical/psychological reason not face their fears

 

[antonlavey]

Not dispel the valid points you've made made, but how you view yourself and how others view you are two different things entirely. If you work in a field where others consider you "social,charming, and affable" chances are you aren't an" introvert" as much as you'd like to think you are. I'll give you a siimile, most humans are lazy by nature, but they know hard work is a necessity for success. Does that make them hard working even though they are naturally lazy? Not trying to take away from your post or anything bro, but people are genetically wired to be social and communicate. Chances are if they're an introvert (not saying this is your case) they are socially inept, and they are looking for a clinical/psychological reason not face their fears

Again, an introvert isn't something others consider you. it's what you think of yourself after self-reflection, and it is ego-syntonic. Socially inept is not the definition of introversion. You can be an extrovert and be a socially inept, classless individual. Being an introvert doesn't mean you cannot communicate, many introverts communicate when it is necessary and do so very effectively. Again being an introvert has less to do about how people view you and more to do about how you handle yourself and your interactions with others.


There are introverts that are actors, business men, physicians!!!! and many other jobs that take require "effective" (this is the keyword), human interaction and communication.

This is what most people think the definition of introvert is.

Avoidant personality disorder[1] (or anxious personality disorder)[2] is a Cluster C personality disorder recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders handbook as afflicting a person when they display a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation, and avoidance of social interaction.

People with avoidant personality disorder often consider themselves to be socially inept or personally unappealing and avoid social interaction for fear of being ridiculed, humiliated, rejected, or disliked. Avoidant personality disorder is usually first noticed in early adulthood. Childhood emotional neglect and peer group rejection (e.g. bullying) are both associated with an increased risk for the development of AvPD.

There is controversy as to whether avoidant personality disorder is a distinct disorder from generalized social phobia and it is contended by some that they are merely different conceptualisations of the same disorder, where avoidant personality disorder may represent the more severe form.[3][4] This is argued because generalized social phobia and avoidant personality disorder have similar diagnostic criteria and may share a similar causation, subjective experience, course, treatment, and identical underlying personality features, such as shyness.[5][6][7]


Many introvert are confident, and in many cases egotistical individuals. Eg. a leader of a company who is a charismatic and well-loved leader but keeps to himself most of the day. Introverts are capable of playing of social dynamics and psychology to their benefit. This explains why many great leaders are introverts.



"Speak softly, carry a big stick."-Theodore Roosevelt.

 

[freakazoid]

INFJ

 

[216301baller]

introvert checkin in

 

[C.Magneto]

Again, an introvert isn't something others consider you. it's what you think of yourself after self-reflection, and it is ego-syntonic. Socially inept is not the definition of introversion. You can be an extrovert and be a socially inept, classless individual. Being an introvert doesn't mean you cannot communicate, many introverts communicate when it is necessary and do so very effectively. Again being an introvert has less to do about how people view you and more to do about how you handle yourself and your interactions with others.
There are introverts that are actors, business men, physicians!!!! and many other jobs that take require "effective" (this is the keyword), human interaction and communication.
This is what most people think the definition of introvert is.
Avoidant personality disorder[1] (or anxious personality disorder)[2] is a Cluster C personality disorder recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders handbook as afflicting a person when they display a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation, and avoidance of social interaction.
People with avoidant personality disorder often consider themselves to be socially inept or personally unappealing and avoid social interaction for fear of being ridiculed, humiliated, rejected, or disliked. Avoidant personality disorder is usually first noticed in early adulthood. Childhood emotional neglect and peer group rejection (e.g. bullying) are both associated with an increased risk for the development of AvPD.
There is controversy as to whether avoidant personality disorder is a distinct disorder from generalized social phobia and it is contended by some that they are merely different conceptualisations of the same disorder, where avoidant personality disorder may represent the more severe form.[3][4] This is argued because generalized social phobia and avoidant personality disorder have similar diagnostic criteria and may share a similar causation, subjective experience, course, treatment, and identical underlying personality features, such as shyness.[5][6][7]
Many introvert are confident, and in many cases egotistical individuals. Eg. a leader of a company who is a charismatic and well-loved leader but keeps to himself most of the day. Introverts are capable of playing of social dynamics and psychology to their benefit.

Agree to disagree. Nonetheless, I respect the conversation you and your post has generated.

 

[3am scholar]

I think the general misconception here is that a lot of intimidated or shy people tend to claim introversion to justify their inability to socialize properly. This is not the case with people who actually are introverted. They do enjoy socializing, but in small bursts.

 

[antonlavey]

I think the general misconception here is that a lot of intimidated or shy people tend to claim introversion to justify their inability to socialize properly. This is not the case with people who actually are introverted. They do enjoy socializing, but in small bursts.

Yep, thats why I posted avoidant personality. These people WANT more social interaction but they have ways of thinking that keeps them from achieving it. Introverts can be capable of social interaction but they tend to keep it to a minimum if they can.

 

[marvin hagler]

INTJ checking in.

 

[tlrdx91]

INTPs 

 

[jrdnsrnss]

Good read OP, as an INTJ i can relate

 

[3am scholar]

Found some information on the Neurochemistry of Introversion.

It's been shown on PET scans that I's use different neural pathways to E's when engaged in almost any type of activity (including relaxation). During one study a group of identified E's and I's were asked to lie down and relax, and a PET scan was used to measure blood flow to the brain and the pathways it followed.

The I's had more blood flow to the brain during relaxation than E's, indicating more internal stimulation. Also, the I's and Es' blood traveled along different pathways - the I pathway was found to be more complex, and flowed to areas of the brain associated with remembering, problem solving and planning.
The E's blood flowed on a more direct route to areas of the brain where sensory processing occurs. This confirmed the researchers' suspicion that the E's in the study were focused on what was happening around them in the lab, and were engaged in sensory processing.

The pathway used by Extraverts is activated by the chemical Dopamine. Dopamine is a powerful neurotransmitter, most closely associated with movement, attention, alert states, and learning. Too much dopamine in the brain causes hallucinations and paranoia, and too little causes depression, lethargy and misery. Having the right amount of Dopamine is critical to everyone.

It has been found that Extraverts have a low sensitivity to Dopamine (require more to get the desired effect). They require Adrenaline, which is released from the sympathetic nervous system, and makes more Dopamine in the brain. This explains why E's need more stimulation/thrill/activity, to feel good, and why they seek variety.

Introverts are highly sensitive to Dopamine - too much of it and they can feel overstimulated. I's rely on a different neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, on their dominant neural pathway. Acetylcholine affects attention and learning, influences the ability to sustain a calm, alert feeling and to utilize long term memory stores, and stimulates a good feeling when thinking or feeling emotion. Introverts require a lower level of Dopamine, and a good level of acetylcholine, to leave them calm and free of depression or anxiety. Too much activity/stimulation can leave I's in Dopamine "overload", and give them a feeling of exhaustion.

SHORTER EXTRAVERT NEURAL PATHWAY

Stimulation ascends the spinal cord and enter reticular activating system in brain stem - data enters the Hypothalamus (thirst/temperature/appetite) - this switches on the "Full Throttle" system in Extraverts - Stimuli are sent to POSTERIOR THALAMUS (a relay station which amplifies the stimuli and sends them to amygdala) - Amygdala is the emotional centre (associated with the actions in the motor area, in extraverts) - Stimuli transferred to Temporal and motor area (movement connects to short term memory access, and to the center for learning and processing sensory and emotional stimuli).

LONGER INTROVERT NEURAL PATHWAY

Stimuli enter Reticular activating system above brain stem - this system is less active in Introverts - transferred to Hypothalmus where the data is interpreted and the brain placed on "Throttle down" in Introverts - Data sent to ANTERIOR THALAMUS (relay station which turns sensory signals down in Introverts) - Data sent to Broca's Area (speech area where internal monologue is activated) - Data sent to Frontal lobe (thinking, planning, learning) - Data sent to Hippocampus (relayed to long term memory including environmental awareness) - Data sent to Amygdala (emotional centre where feelings are attached to thoughts, in Introverts).

 

[Mark Antony]

As displayed in this thread, external views will never change.

 

[ninjahood]

Technology in my opinion has evened da playing field.

As da spoken word decreases for text messages & FB status points

Da quality behind da thought of da written word a introvert excells in has

Has been giving large platforms to prosper.

Look @ tumblr, twitter, instagram, hell even Niketalk, these places bleed introverted

Values & principles.

Gif execution is introverted comedy all day, only a bunch of quiet smart ******

Would edit seconds of random footage to make a visual point that fits contextually.

 

[antonlavey]

Technology in my opinion has evened da playing field.
As da spoken word decreases for text messages & FB status points
Da quality behind da thought of da written word a introvert excells in has
Has been giving large platforms to prosper.
Look @ tumblr, twitter, instagram, hell even Niketalk, these places bleed introverted
Values & principles.
Gif execution is introverted comedy all day, only a bunch of quiet smart ******
Would edit seconds of random footage to make a visual point that fits contextually.

A very intelligent response from NTs one and only. Barack Obama, Newton, Darwin, Gandhi, Mandela, Bill Gates all needed twitter and instagram to be prosperous. Why didn't I think of that?


Many of the most powerful and dare I say ELOQUENT!!!! speeches ever given have been by introverts.

Introverts don't necessarily have the same values, but they tend to have the same approaches to getting their points across.

 

[robinvandamn]

View media item 183382

 

[guzzy]

Myths 1-8 are me to a tee.

I like to consider my self an extroverted introvert.

I like to be by myself,but after a while I want to go out and kick it.

I like going to parties and socializing but after a while I just want to go home and reflect on what happened.

I can easily start to talking to someone with ease,have no problem with it, I just choose not to.

I like working alone and in groups. Depends on the task.

When people are talking in a group,i just listen and observe, I join when itsa topic i'm interested in

 

[bravo]

Found some information on the Neurochemistry of Introversion.

thanks for posting this. INTJ checking in. I have spent endless days worrying about **** that i cant change, which prevents me from being as happy as i should be. i told my cousin a few days ago [biggest extrovert i know and who always tells me that i overanalyze things] that i need to stop trying to figure out everything and just appreciate it.


i just browsed through several sites on acetylcholine receptors and ways to increase the levels. if this leads to a more fulfilling life for me, i will forever be grateful for this thread. no bs. thanks again.

 

[cronicmolemolereturns]

Regardless of the subject matter. This is the prototype for how a thread should be made.

 

[mrbrown]

great work

had to rape

 

[Master Zik]

I felt like I read this thread before or another one similar to being an introvert and common misconceptions about them.

I don't agree with all of this premise/problem:

American society tends to emphasize that success comes through being highly social and outgoing (in short, extroverted) which negatively pressures introverted people (1/4 to 1/2 of the population) into being uncomfortable with themselves or their environments, which in turn stifles creativity and progress.

I don't see it as emphasis but more of a fact. Successful ppl that get the spotlight tend to be extroverted. There are tons of successful introverts but they do not seek the publicity. An easy search of successful ppl (w/e your definition may be) will lead you to many successful introverted ppl. The media in our society have their own aims, goals, agendas that they pursue and have certain marks they have to reach to continue to do what they do.

As an introvert I don't and I don't think any others should care about society's view of who is and how one should act to be successful or the rampant common misconceptions about introverts. I feel we/they could always investigate on our own and realize that this is clearly not the case (not knocking this thread cuz it's always good to spread the knowledge). For those that are negatively impacted the list is just reinforcing what they probably already know about themselves.

Of course there can be a fine line between an introvert and a curmudgeon or cynical misanthrope.

Good thread as far as the other information being presented and the thoughtful and wise quotes.

 

[3stheluckynumbe]

Good thread op. Sociable introvert checking in btw