What defines introverted behavior goes far beyond a person’s attitudes in socialization and life in general.
This was demonstrated by the 10-item introversion and extraversion test found on Susan Cain’s website, The Quiet Revolution. By examining the dimensions of introversion in the test description, we are aware that fortunately the definition of introversion has been updated.
- Research on introversion has gone beyond differentiation based on ‘I like to be alone/being with people’.
- And introverted behavior can have as many or more nuances as extroverted behavior.
Therefore, in the introverted group, there may be socialization preferences that are generally not available at that time; therefore, they may prefer to stay home.
They can enjoy each other’s company a lot, but in a different way than extroverts. Above all, your preference for certain activities may vary over time, as with others.
In the 1920s, Carl Gustav Jung created the introverted/extroverted distinction, which although it already exists, has begun to be more widely used in psychology since 1940.
At that time, this distinction began to be studied especially in the field of personality. Jung also identified a third personality type, although he never categorized it.
Currently, there is an ambiguous term. It’s right in the middle of the introverted-extroverted spectrum. In a way, ambivalents have the best of both worlds, capable of harnessing the strengths of introverts and extroverts, depending on the circumstances.
Researchers, such as Jonathan Cheek and Jennifer Grimes, have identified different types of introverts; the first type is the one that will look more familiar: social introverts.
This is the profile that most closely resembles the widespread view of introversion, they are people who enjoy reading at home without the holidays.
A social introvert greatly appreciates his space and his close relationships, preferring to go out for a drink with his friends for life rather than go to Tomorrowland.
While they may be confused with shy people, there is an essential difference: while shy people feel anxiety when or in the face of the possibility of being the center of attention, social introverts feel better in smaller groups, where the level of stimulation and exchange may be higher. not to be so tall.
Another guy identified by Cheek and Grimes is what they call “introspective introverts. “This dimension focuses attention on a more internal element or composition. Unlike social media, introspective introverts have no problem socializing.
This type of introversion characterizes people with a great inner world, able to get lost in fantasy horizons and take advantage of their imagination to translate it into creative work.
Professor Cheek stated that these introverts are “capable of getting lost in an inner fantasy world, but not in a neurotic way, but imaginatively and creatively. “
One example that turns the cheek is Luna Lovegood, the witch of Harry Potter. Its inner madness, which makes it mysterious and disturbed, is what would perfectly define an introverted mind.
The third type of introvert cited by Jonathan Cheek is defined more by a style of doing than by thinking. It is the “restricted introverts” who classify their actions or execute them at a slower pace.
Restricted or reserved introverts prefer to think before speaking or acting, and may take longer to move forward. Professor Cheek says: “I’ve never thought about introversion this way before, so I’m interested to see what future research on restricted introversion will tell us and how it correlates with other variations. “
They take the time to do anything, plan everything they do during the day and like to keep the situation under control. Unlike anxious people, they are not in danger. They are simply people who analyze the world and put aside their impulsivity.
Professor Cheek refers to another type of introvert, the anxious introvert. Do you answer questions with statements like “Do I feel painfully ashamed when I’m with strangers?”Yes? Even when I’m in a group of friends, I feel very lonely and restless.
Faced with a profile that may seem similar, we sometimes talk about introversion and sometimes social anxiety.
Introverts are people who love loneliness and generally have an active inner life; they also take a more deliberate approach to personal growth and feel exhausted in overly stimulating environments.
In different people, the different components may be more or less important, but in general, they all look a lot alike at these points.
What’s surprising about varieties or the different components of introversion is how rewarding they can be.
Extroverts have always tended to benefit from the assumption that their lifestyle was psychologically healthy; however, researchers like Cain and Dembling show us how varied and adaptable introverted behavior can be.