Introverted people are considered shy, little sociable and often get the stamp “loner: in”. But is that really true?
Introversion is a personality trait that describes how a person interacts with their social environment. Introversion represents the opposite of extra version. Anyone who is considered extrovert pulls their energy from being together with other people. The exchange with others stimulates them.
Whereas introverts can rather charge their batteries if they are alone. They look more inwards and like to keep in the background. People who have the properties of both personality traits are described as ambiented. Psychiatrists Carl Gustav Jung described these definitions in his typology of personalities.
Socially associated with something negative. It may often appear strange if someone likes to be alone or hold back in social situations. In addition, our society is more shaped by extrovert standards. If people actively approach others, communicate a lot and can move confidently in the social environment, for example, it brings advantages at school and at work.
Extrover people who often show an active, enthusiastic and dominant behavior are usually more respected in social and professional situations than reserved types. No wonder that there are many negative myths around the introversion and that there are therefore often self -doubt among introverted people. The introversion can often be an advantage.
1. Myth: introversion means shyness
The best known myth is that all introverted people are shy. Contrary to much widespread assumptions, introversion and shyness cannot be equated.
Shy people often seem uncertain and avoid contact with people unknown. Often there is afraid of being evaluated or disturbed. However, shyness is a learned behavior and not a personality trait as it is the introversion. Shydom can develop through bad experiences, for example by rejection. In contrast, introverters are naturally happy to be alone and tend to observe first before they actively participate in a conversation, for example.
In addition, introverted people can cope better if they only have to do with people in small “doses”. Psychologist Jule Specht describes this: “Introverted people are people who like to withdraw, while shy people may be happy to be more sociable, but do not dare.”
Also, introverters do not like to make calls as much as many shy. However, this has more to do with the fact that introverters can better express themselves in writing. Of course there are also shy introverters – just like there are shy extrovert who initially feel uncomfortable and insecure in the presence of strangers.
2. Introverters are not sociable
If you have the personality trait of introversion, you prefer to sit around only at home and avoid parties and concerts – this is also often heard about introverters. Of course, people who are considered introverted also like to go to a bar or dance. However, on their conditions. For example, in these situations, it is enough for you to only speak to your own friend: to speak inside or only stay briefly. Often afterwards they also need a balance and prefer to spend the next day alone at home and only enjoy this time for themselves. “Introversion is not a skill macelet, but a preference that I design a situation,” explains personality psychologist Jule Specht.
So if you are introverted, it does not mean that you are too unocceptible or anti -social. You only need breaks more often. Once the social batteries of introverted people have been recharged by being alone, they also like to meet again with friends: inside or look forward to the next party.
And: Not all people who are attributed to the introversion are the same. Some have a bigger friend: inner circle than others and go among people more often – this has something to do with individuality and personal preferences.
3. Introverters are all the same
Although we would be at the next point: introversion is not the same as introversion, even if you like to put introverted people in the same drawer of the loner. Rather, introversion can have different forms. In a study, scientists split up: Introversion inside in four types:
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Social introversion exists when people more than most other people prefer to be alone or prefer to meet only a few people. The reason is that you feel faster from being together with many people.
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Thinking introversion describes when people can draw a lot of ideas and creativity from their single. They are less about charging social batteries, but about benefiting from the grant to the interior. People of these groups often seem to be brooding and mentally switched on. However, they deal strongly with their own emotional world.
- People who have an anxious introversion give a reserved and sometimes scareed impression. They avoid situations that they can make nervous. This behavior serves them as a protective mechanism and not because they do not feel comfortable in the company of others.
- People with reserved introversion are considered careful and pragmatic. Before you say a company, you first weigh up advantages and disadvantages. Spontaneous actions rarely occur with you.
4. Introverters are unhappy
Anyone who spends so much time alone has to be lonely and unhappy, right? Many introverted people are also confronted with this cliché. This is also not true. Because if it is alone, it does not necessarily have to be loneliness. While being alone is a condition, loneliness is a feeling.
Whether being alone is something positive or negative depends on the person that is in this state. However, since many introverts like to be alone and draw strength and creativity out of tranquility, it does not automatically make it unhappy. A study came to the conclusion that for introverted the beginning of Corona pandemic was less stressful than for extrovert. Since introverters are used to spending more time alone, the Lockdown did not put them so much.
Introversion can also be a strength. In this way, introverters can not only be good with themselves, they often also characterize their good observation and reliability. Even if extroverted people can go better out of themselves, introverters are just as indispensable for our society. It is always important that you live self -determined: No matter what others say, you have to feel comfortable.
Revised by Melanie Grünauer
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