The Psychology Sessions: Modern Trends in Psychology
Is introversion a misunderstood personality trait?
The American president who is most consistently ranked number one of all time is .... Abraham Lincoln (David Myers, 2014). Abraham Lincoln was introverted,even, sometimes, slow in
decision making, but very effective and innovative. Is it really an
extrovert's world or is introversion a misunderstood personality trait?
Before answering the question, let's remember some important facts:
- Whether a person is an extrovert or introvert depends on how he/she directs their libido and, generally, their life force (Robert Stewart, 1998).
- The extroverts' attention is directed to other people and the world, producing an outgoing personality that enjoys company and likes to share life with others - albeit on a more superficial level.
- On the contrary, introverted people are fascinated by ideas, are more solitary and self-reliant, often, looking inward to the world of the unconscious - however, their friendships are, usually, fewer, but deeper.
- Carl Jung's pioneering model of introversion-extroversion has influenced, significantly, fields such as recruitment and selection, human resource management, public relations, marketing, training, education, mass media and, generally, our everyday life.
- Practically, every person has both introvert and extrovert tendencies, however, one or the other usually predominates!
Famous Swedish actress-diva, Greta Garbo (1905-1990) was a classic introvert, even though, she made a successful career in, maybe, the most over-exposed profession. In 1941, she decided to stop acting by saying the timeless quote: 'I want to be left alone'.
As David Myers (2014) clearly points out, psychologists describe personality, but they don't advise which traits people should or should not have. However, Society does this: western cultures, often, consider extraversion as one of the most significant personality traits. Being introverted means that you don't have the 'right stuff' (David Myers, 2014: Cain, 2012).
Just think about superheroes such as Superman, who is bold, energetic, strong and outspoken, whereas, his alter ego, Clark Kent, is calm, mild-mannered and writes for a living. One could definitely say that the message is that if you want people to admire you of your strength and heroism, you must show them that you're an extrovert. Another source of examples of successful extroverts is TV and, especially, TV series such as Mad Men: Donald Draper, the successful, charismatic and dominant advertising executive is a classic extrovert. Therefore, the crucial questions are: a) Does extraversion lead to success?, b) Why do western cultures favor extraversion? and c) Can western societies, really, understand what introversion is?.
The first thought that most people have is that introversion, shyness and a somewhat reserved attitude are interlinked, when practically, they are not. If you notice introverted people, you will find out that they tend to seek low levels of stimulation and arousal from their environment or surroundings, because they are very sensitive and easily affected. According to one classic study, introverted people, even, have greater taste sensitivity: when given lemon juice, introverted people salivated more than extraverted people (David Myers, 2014: Corcoran, 1964). On the contrary, shy people remain quiet, distant or, even, withdrawn because they fear negative evaluation or rejection by others.
Apart from that, most people perceive introversion as a barrier to success, however, introverts can experience success or achievement as much as extroverts. Introverted leaders can even outperform extraverted leaders because they show greater receptiveness when their employees voice their ideas, challenge existing norms, and take charge (David Myers, 2014: Grant et al. 2011).
Susan Cain, the author of “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”
wrote an article on the New Times in September 2012 mentioning the fact that effective leadership or success is not correlated with extraversion or introversion, and that on the long list of attributes of a successful president - or of any leader- an outgoing persona is low on the list. Therefore, she concludes that: 1) introverted leaders possess an innate caution that may be more valuable than we realise and 2) regardless of an extraverted or introverted personality, the charisma of ideas and vision is what matters the most.
Another factor, which plays an integral part in evaluating extroversion-introversion is Cross-Cultural Differences, that is Western Cultures vs Eastern or Asian Cultures. As stated above, cultures such as the American tends to reward or appreciate more extroversion because the USA is a culture of 'external' personality and aggressive/winning negotiation tactics. On the contrary, other cultures such as Japan and India prize introversion as people are valued for their "inner selves and their moral rectitude".
Adding to that, it is important for all people, societies and cultures to understand that introversion should not be treated suspiciously or unfairly: People who need to be alone or have a quiet break from a loud party or event are not strange, weak or incapable of great achievements. They, simply, know how to pick an environment where they can thrive, therefore, it is crucial for extroverts to realise that not everyone needs the high levels of stimulation that they do, and that it is not a crime to unwind and cool down (David Myers, 2014).
According to Huffington Post, this is an indicative list of notable introverts: Eleanor Roosevelt, J. K. Rowling, Bill Gates, Carl Gustav Jung, Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, Audrey Hepburn, Warren Buffett, George Stephanopoulos, Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg, Marilyn Monroe, Beyonce Knowles, Steven Spielberg, Michelle Pfeiffer, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, James Dean, Clint Eastwood, John Lennon and many others.
"I want to exist from my own force, like the sun, which gives light and does not suck light"
Carl Gustav Jung.
References
Robert Stewart (1997), Ideas that shaped our world: Understanding the great concepts of then and now, London: Marshall Publishing.
David G. Myers and C. Nathan DeWall (2014), Psychology in everyday life, 3rd edition, New York: Worth Publishers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/opinion/sunday/introverts-make-great-leaders-too.html?_r=0.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraversion_and_introversion.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/08/15/famous-introverts_n_3733400.html.
https://gr.pinterest.com/biljanaf7/carl-gustav-jung/.
Picture Source Links
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/240379698838316037/,
http://quotesgram.com/famous-quotes-about-introverts/,
http://robsiej.deviantart.com/art/Greta-Garbo-503402914,
https://pixabay.com/el/photos/word%20art/.
Tim Voridis
Organisational Psychologist/Consultant - Communication and Personality Specialist
'Innovation for a brighter future'.
As David Myers (2014) clearly points out, psychologists describe personality, but they don't advise which traits people should or should not have. However, Society does this: western cultures, often, consider extraversion as one of the most significant personality traits. Being introverted means that you don't have the 'right stuff' (David Myers, 2014: Cain, 2012).
Just think about superheroes such as Superman, who is bold, energetic, strong and outspoken, whereas, his alter ego, Clark Kent, is calm, mild-mannered and writes for a living. One could definitely say that the message is that if you want people to admire you of your strength and heroism, you must show them that you're an extrovert. Another source of examples of successful extroverts is TV and, especially, TV series such as Mad Men: Donald Draper, the successful, charismatic and dominant advertising executive is a classic extrovert. Therefore, the crucial questions are: a) Does extraversion lead to success?, b) Why do western cultures favor extraversion? and c) Can western societies, really, understand what introversion is?.
The first thought that most people have is that introversion, shyness and a somewhat reserved attitude are interlinked, when practically, they are not. If you notice introverted people, you will find out that they tend to seek low levels of stimulation and arousal from their environment or surroundings, because they are very sensitive and easily affected. According to one classic study, introverted people, even, have greater taste sensitivity: when given lemon juice, introverted people salivated more than extraverted people (David Myers, 2014: Corcoran, 1964). On the contrary, shy people remain quiet, distant or, even, withdrawn because they fear negative evaluation or rejection by others.
Apart from that, most people perceive introversion as a barrier to success, however, introverts can experience success or achievement as much as extroverts. Introverted leaders can even outperform extraverted leaders because they show greater receptiveness when their employees voice their ideas, challenge existing norms, and take charge (David Myers, 2014: Grant et al. 2011).
Susan Cain, the author of “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”
wrote an article on the New Times in September 2012 mentioning the fact that effective leadership or success is not correlated with extraversion or introversion, and that on the long list of attributes of a successful president - or of any leader- an outgoing persona is low on the list. Therefore, she concludes that: 1) introverted leaders possess an innate caution that may be more valuable than we realise and 2) regardless of an extraverted or introverted personality, the charisma of ideas and vision is what matters the most.
Another factor, which plays an integral part in evaluating extroversion-introversion is Cross-Cultural Differences, that is Western Cultures vs Eastern or Asian Cultures. As stated above, cultures such as the American tends to reward or appreciate more extroversion because the USA is a culture of 'external' personality and aggressive/winning negotiation tactics. On the contrary, other cultures such as Japan and India prize introversion as people are valued for their "inner selves and their moral rectitude".
Adding to that, it is important for all people, societies and cultures to understand that introversion should not be treated suspiciously or unfairly: People who need to be alone or have a quiet break from a loud party or event are not strange, weak or incapable of great achievements. They, simply, know how to pick an environment where they can thrive, therefore, it is crucial for extroverts to realise that not everyone needs the high levels of stimulation that they do, and that it is not a crime to unwind and cool down (David Myers, 2014).
According to Huffington Post, this is an indicative list of notable introverts: Eleanor Roosevelt, J. K. Rowling, Bill Gates, Carl Gustav Jung, Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, Audrey Hepburn, Warren Buffett, George Stephanopoulos, Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg, Marilyn Monroe, Beyonce Knowles, Steven Spielberg, Michelle Pfeiffer, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, James Dean, Clint Eastwood, John Lennon and many others.
"I want to exist from my own force, like the sun, which gives light and does not suck light"
Carl Gustav Jung.
References
Robert Stewart (1997), Ideas that shaped our world: Understanding the great concepts of then and now, London: Marshall Publishing.
David G. Myers and C. Nathan DeWall (2014), Psychology in everyday life, 3rd edition, New York: Worth Publishers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/opinion/sunday/introverts-make-great-leaders-too.html?_r=0.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraversion_and_introversion.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/08/15/famous-introverts_n_3733400.html.
https://gr.pinterest.com/biljanaf7/carl-gustav-jung/.
Picture Source Links
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/240379698838316037/,
http://quotesgram.com/famous-quotes-about-introverts/,
http://robsiej.deviantart.com/art/Greta-Garbo-503402914,
https://pixabay.com/el/photos/word%20art/.
Tim Voridis
Organisational Psychologist/Consultant - Communication and Personality Specialist
'Innovation for a brighter future'.
