There are quite a few stereotypes when it comes to introverts: we all know the nerdy, quiet, odd-looking high school student or the broody cynical goth we see in films. In reality, none of those descriptions have anything to do with being an introvert!
Introversion is part of the “big 5” of personality types, where it is the opposite end of the scale for the extroversion marker. Extroversion and introversion are descriptors for your preferences in breadth and depth of experiences, your emotional reaction to and processing of external factors, and how you create energy.
The definition of introvert
Merriam Webster definition: a person whose personality is characterized by introversion : a typically reserved or quiet person who tends to be introspective and enjoys spending time alone
If we look at introversion and introverts purely by dictionary definition it’s no wonder that the stereotypes of shy, quiet, or even unsociable is so pervasive.
What these definitions don’t quite show (and that’s kind of hard to do in just a sentence or two anyway) is that introversion (and extroversion) are mainly about how experiences are processed, and how energy is created and expended.
An introvert is, as the word insinuates, introspective. They tend to think before they act, as processing things internally is their modus operandi. This stretches to a preference to go in depth on something, as opposed to experience as many things as possible, but on a more superficial level.
Lastly, and that is the most common sign of introverts: they love their solitude. There is a good reason for this, and it has nothing to do with being loners, reclusive, or even unfriendly.
The characteristics of introversion
Let’s address that awkward, shy, depressed, loner stereotype: that’s not what introversion is.
Introverts perceive and process the world by thinking about it, going in depth, and be introspective about how they feel about that. It’s a very internally experienced approach. You can imagine, that if you do things that way, you do them more on your own, because well, it’s more in your head anyway!
Alongside that, it’s that introspection, the alone time to process things in their own time that brings an introvert energy. If an introvert friend decides to call it a night it’s not because they are not enjoying themselves, it’s because the battery needs recharging.
Introverts have a lower energy level compared to extroverts, and while extroverts recharge by being social and getting exposure to new experiences and faces, it’s exactly the opposite for introverts.
That doesn’t mean an introvert doesn’t enjoy a party, or can’t be loud!
It’s just that the amount of energy it takes can be a lot more, meaning they may need to leave earlier, take longer to recoup, and yes, sometimes don’t enjoy larger group events as much. Very loud of busy environments similarly can be quite harsh on the senses, which the introvert all processes so much internally.
A smaller group or one-on-one setting isn’t only easier to handle, it allows for conversations to go deeper, something an introvert enjoys and appreciates. The fact that these social situation are usually in more quiet and comfortable surroundings also improves how much the battery gets depleted.
In short, the characteristics of an introvert:
- They are reflective and self-aware
- They prefer quiet for concentration
- They need to be alone or retreat into their own mind to rest up
- Are comfortable being alone
- Prefer in-depth over broad exposure
- Prefer smaller groups/ one-on-one interaction
These are general characteristics on introverts, of course they will differ per person. Studies have shown that introverts can be roughly divided in 4 different types, where some characteristics come out stronger than the others.
Seriously, they’re all gloomy (and female for some reason?)
What introverts are not
In this article we’ve mentioned a few characteristics of introverts, and how these characteristics are different compared to extroverts. However, the stereotypes persist, and just like extroverts aren’t all loud and dumb, introverts aren’t all depressed and unfriendly.
Here’s a silly list of introvert stereotypes that aren’t true. Not all introverts are:
- Shy
- Unwilling to socialise
- Socially awkward
- Rude
- Disconnected from the world
- Serial killers (really people??)
- Unhappy/Depressed
- Unconfident
- Quiet
Hi, I’m an introvert!
If you recognise yourself in the description of introverts, you may well be one. Welcome to the club! If you’d like to know more about how introverts approach the world, you’ve come to the right place. I started The Solo Introvert for exactly that reason: navigating travel, work and self-employment, socialising: I’ve been there and am still learning along the way, and I’d love for you to join me.