I was conversing with someone the other day and he asked me if I was an introvert or an extrovert. Of course I quickly responded that I was indeed an introvert. He then proceeded to ask what I believed an introvert to be. I answered with what I had always believed an introvert to be
An introvert is someone who is shy.
He went on to explain his theory of how an introvert is more than that. It's someone who is energized by being alone.
He then continued on that an
extrovert is someone he believed to be energized by being around people.
As a result of this conversation, I managed to track down the definitions of
introvert and
extrovert. These definitions backed up his thoughts exactly.
Which are you?
Here they are.
INTROVERT
Definition: Contrary to what most people think, an introvert is
not simply a person who is shy. In fact, being shy has little to do with
being an introvert! Shyness has an element of apprehension, nervousness
and anxiety, and while an introvert may also be shy, introversion
itself is not shyness. Basically, an introvert is a person who is
energized by being alone and whose energy is drained by being around
other people.
Introverts are more concerned with the inner world of the mind. They
enjoy thinking, exploring their thoughts and feelings. They often avoid
social situations because being around people drains their energy. This
is true even if they have good social skills. After being with people
for any length of time, such as at a party, they need time alone to
"recharge."
When introverts want to be alone, it is not, by itself, a sign of
depression. It means that they either need to regain their energy from
being around people or that they simply want the time to be with their
own thoughts. Being with people, even people they like and are
comfortable with, can prevent them from their desire to be quietly
introspective.
Being introspective, though, does not mean that an introvert never has
conversations. However, those conversations are generally about ideas
and concepts, not about what they consider the trivial matters of social
small talk.
EXTROVERT
Definition: Most people believe that an extrovert is a person who
is friendly and outgoing. While that may be true, that is not the true
meaning of extroversion. Basically, an extrovert is a person who is
energized by being around other people. This is the opposite of an
introvert who is energized by being alone.
Extroverts tend to "fade" when alone and can easily become bored without
other people around. When given the chance, an extrovert will talk with
someone else rather than sit alone and think. In fact, extroverts tend
to think as they speak, unlike introverts who are far more likely to
think before they speak. Extroverts often think best when they are
talking. Concepts just don't seem real to them unless they can talk
about them; reflecting on them isn't enough.
Extroverts enjoy social situations and even seek them out since they
enjoy being around people. Their ability to make small talk makes them
appear to be more socially adept than
introverts (although introverts may have little difficulty talking to people they don't know if they can talk about concepts or issues).
Extrovert behavior seems to be the standard in American society, which
means that other behavior is judged against the ways an extrovert would
behave. However, extroverted behavior is simply a manifestation of the
way an extrovert interacts with the world. Extroverts are interested in
and concerned with the external world.
