Comments on: Bias Against Introverts? http://www.overcomingbias.com/2007/03/bias_against_in.html Overcoming Bias is economist Robin Hanson’s blog, on honesty, signaling, disagreement, forecasting, and the far future. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:23:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Standing up for the introverts | HealthBeat http://www.overcomingbias.com/2007/03/bias_against_in.html#comment-699768 Standing up for the introverts | HealthBeat Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:26:03 +0000 http://prod.ob.trike.com.au/2007/03/bias-against-introverts.html#comment-699768 [...] found some interesting perspective on the Overcoming Bias blog, where it’s suggested that many do-it-yourself personality tests [...] [...] found some interesting perspective on the Overcoming Bias blog, where it’s suggested that many do-it-yourself personality tests [...]

]]> By: Brandon http://www.overcomingbias.com/2007/03/bias_against_in.html#comment-451635 Brandon Sun, 01 Aug 2010 00:43:58 +0000 http://prod.ob.trike.com.au/2007/03/bias-against-introverts.html#comment-451635 @miss anonymous Can you elaborate on the stimulation sources for the introvert? You say that introverts can "entertain themselves without stimulation, as the stimulation is internal... " I am an introvert and I get what you saying for the most part. However, I have one more question for you. Does me reading information on the computer count as internal stimulation? I feel that some external stimulation is required, it is just significantly less than the amount an extrovert would need. Little amounts of information can be contemplated for larger periods of time by an introverted person, in my opinion. @miss anonymous

Can you elaborate on the stimulation sources for the introvert? You say that introverts can “entertain themselves without stimulation, as the stimulation is internal… ” I am an introvert and I get what you saying for the most part. However, I have one more question for you. Does me reading information on the computer count as internal stimulation? I feel that some external stimulation is required, it is just significantly less than the amount an extrovert would need. Little amounts of information can be contemplated for larger periods of time by an introverted person, in my opinion.

]]> By: Miss Anonymous http://www.overcomingbias.com/2007/03/bias_against_in.html#comment-421301 Miss Anonymous Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:42:09 +0000 http://prod.ob.trike.com.au/2007/03/bias-against-introverts.html#comment-421301 I think the introvert-extrovert factor has actually been documented by brain scans. From what I remember reading, introverts have relatively dense brains, with lots of activity going on inside them, whereas extroverts generally have much less. As there is so much already going on inside an introvert's head, they (we) can entertain themselves for long periods without stimulation, as the stimulation is internal, whereas extroverts naturally seek external stimulation to start their brain working and can therefore tolerate very much more of it. Anne I can definitely understand your frustration! I think I'm going to put Nick's cartoon on my office door!! I think the introvert-extrovert factor has actually been documented by brain scans. From what I remember reading, introverts have relatively dense brains, with lots of activity going on inside them, whereas extroverts generally have much less. As there is so much already going on inside an introvert’s head, they (we) can entertain themselves for long periods without stimulation, as the stimulation is internal, whereas extroverts naturally seek external stimulation to start their brain working and can therefore tolerate very much more of it.
Anne I can definitely understand your frustration! I think I’m going to put Nick’s cartoon on my office door!!

]]> By: Lurinda http://www.overcomingbias.com/2007/03/bias_against_in.html#comment-421300 Lurinda Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:38:13 +0000 http://prod.ob.trike.com.au/2007/03/bias-against-introverts.html#comment-421300 I think that what most people here (thanks to elle for her version of this) are missing is that introversion isn't a fear of being around people and it isn't shyness. The psychology of Jungian or Myers-Briggs types shows that introversion and extroversion are more indicators of what energizes people. I have found that being around people sucks the life out of me. Being around ideas and abstract thought, usually alone is what makes my brain hum with energy. Usually the ideas are when I'm alone or reading a book. Extreme extroverts who are healthy emotionally would rather be with a group of people that they don't know because it is the group dynamic that energizes their thinking process. Remember extroversion & introversion are not about discomfort in interacting with people. Healthy introverts can go so smoothly through a business day that you wouldn't perceive of them as shy. The difference is that at the end of the day, the introvert needs to refuel. Just as a scholar I know who spends most of his spare time researching obscure Italian manuscripts has to go out for his daily energy shot at a local pub or coffee shop. I think that what most people here (thanks to elle for her version of this) are missing is that introversion isn’t a fear of being around people and it isn’t shyness. The psychology of Jungian or Myers-Briggs types shows that introversion and extroversion are more indicators of what energizes people. I have found that being around people sucks the life out of me. Being around ideas and abstract thought, usually alone is what makes my brain hum with energy. Usually the ideas are when I’m alone or reading a book. Extreme extroverts who are healthy emotionally would rather be with a group of people that they don’t know because it is the group dynamic that energizes their thinking process.

Remember extroversion & introversion are not about discomfort in interacting with people. Healthy introverts can go so smoothly through a business day that you wouldn’t perceive of them as shy. The difference is that at the end of the day, the introvert needs to refuel. Just as a scholar I know who spends most of his spare time researching obscure Italian manuscripts has to go out for his daily energy shot at a local pub or coffee shop.

]]> By: Neal B. Burgis, Ph.D. http://www.overcomingbias.com/2007/03/bias_against_in.html#comment-421299 Neal B. Burgis, Ph.D. Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:57:22 +0000 http://prod.ob.trike.com.au/2007/03/bias-against-introverts.html#comment-421299 Do any of your readers know that introverts can be extremely valuable to a company. The specific characteristics they have are desirable in business. Underneath it all, in gradually drawing the potential out of shy introverts can have a significant positive impact to both the shy introverted individual employee and to the bottom line of a company. There are many introverts who are salespeople earning in the six figure bracket and many are also motivational speakers. These are just some of the positive advantages shy introverts have. Executives and managers in a company need to understand that shy introverts work differently than extroverts. The other part of this is to get the shy introvert from focusing on their weaknesses because they are a shy introverts strengths. They need to work from their: Skills, Talents, Knowledge and Abilities in order to move them forward in life and feel confident as they reduce their shyness. Do any of your readers know that introverts can be extremely valuable to a company. The specific characteristics they have are desirable in business. Underneath it all, in gradually drawing the potential out of shy introverts can have a significant positive impact to both the shy introverted individual employee and to the bottom line of a company.
There are many introverts who are salespeople earning in the six figure bracket and many are also motivational speakers. These are just some of the positive advantages shy introverts have. Executives and managers in a company need to understand that shy introverts work differently than extroverts. The other part of this is to get the shy introvert from focusing on their weaknesses because they are a shy introverts strengths. They need to work from their: Skills, Talents, Knowledge and Abilities in order to move them forward in life and feel confident as they reduce their shyness.

]]> By: Nick Tarleton http://www.overcomingbias.com/2007/03/bias_against_in.html#comment-421298 Nick Tarleton Fri, 22 Jun 2007 18:51:30 +0000 http://prod.ob.trike.com.au/2007/03/bias-against-introverts.html#comment-421298 http://xkcd.com/c238.html http://xkcd.com/c238.html

]]> By: elle http://www.overcomingbias.com/2007/03/bias_against_in.html#comment-421297 elle Wed, 13 Jun 2007 19:54:25 +0000 http://prod.ob.trike.com.au/2007/03/bias-against-introverts.html#comment-421297 People confuse introversion and shyness constantly. They are two different things. Shyness, better understood as social anxiety, is a condition that makes a person nervous about being evaluated by others, exceedingly self-conscious, and avoidant of social situations (naturally)that provoke anxiety. This anxiety often manifests in many troubling physical symptoms such as blushing, stuttering, butterflies, etc. Shyness can be overcome and is responsive to a combination of therapy and medicine. Introversion on the other hand is a temperament that cannot be changed. Introverts derive their social energy from time spent alone, and are drained by too much social interaction. Thus, they are often quieter people than extroverts. An introvert could also suffer from shyness or social anxiety, but so could an extrovert. I have know many shy people who are extroverts and many outgoing introverts. People confuse introversion and shyness constantly. They are two different things. Shyness, better understood as social anxiety, is a condition that makes a person nervous about being evaluated by others, exceedingly self-conscious, and avoidant of social situations (naturally)that provoke anxiety. This anxiety often manifests in many troubling physical symptoms such as blushing, stuttering, butterflies, etc. Shyness can be overcome and is responsive to a combination of therapy and medicine. Introversion on the other hand is a temperament that cannot be changed. Introverts derive their social energy from time spent alone, and are drained by too much social interaction. Thus, they are often quieter people than extroverts. An introvert could also suffer from shyness or social anxiety, but so could an extrovert. I have know many shy people who are extroverts and many outgoing introverts.

]]> By: marcia siegel http://www.overcomingbias.com/2007/03/bias_against_in.html#comment-421296 marcia siegel Wed, 14 Mar 2007 20:00:35 +0000 http://prod.ob.trike.com.au/2007/03/bias-against-introverts.html#comment-421296 i like introverts. i know many people that also prefer introverts to extroverts. there is a difference between shyness and introversion. introverts choose solitude. shy people may not choose shyness. introverts can express themselves if they choose. shy people have a difficulty expressing themselves. as for extroverts they are not rated that highly in the expert books. it seems extroverts can not be with themselves. they need people to feel vibrant. since we are human we probably somtimes act intoverted and sometimes extroverted. if an expert makes you feel inferior don't listen to them. i like introverts. i know many people that also prefer introverts to extroverts. there is a difference between shyness and introversion. introverts choose solitude. shy people may not choose shyness. introverts can express themselves if they choose. shy people have a difficulty expressing themselves.
as for extroverts they are not rated that highly in the expert books. it seems extroverts can not be with themselves. they need people to feel vibrant.
since we are human we probably somtimes act intoverted and sometimes extroverted. if an expert makes you feel inferior don’t listen to them.

]]> By: Nick Tarleton http://www.overcomingbias.com/2007/03/bias_against_in.html#comment-421295 Nick Tarleton Sat, 10 Mar 2007 21:38:44 +0000 http://prod.ob.trike.com.au/2007/03/bias-against-introverts.html#comment-421295 Though to modulate my last sentence, I'd like to note that I've observed that I often overestimate my introversion (and some other traits) generally, which can predispose me to introverted behavior (as I try to behave in accordance with what I think is my nature), producing a positive feedback loop that (because it drives my behavior in ways contrary to my actual personality) can be harmful. Is there a name for this kind of confirmation bias in self-evaluation? Though to modulate my last sentence, I’d like to note that I’ve observed that I often overestimate my introversion (and some other traits) generally, which can predispose me to introverted behavior (as I try to behave in accordance with what I think is my nature), producing a positive feedback loop that (because it drives my behavior in ways contrary to my actual personality) can be harmful. Is there a name for this kind of confirmation bias in self-evaluation?

]]> By: Nick Tarleton http://www.overcomingbias.com/2007/03/bias_against_in.html#comment-421294 Nick Tarleton Sat, 10 Mar 2007 21:28:58 +0000 http://prod.ob.trike.com.au/2007/03/bias-against-introverts.html#comment-421294 Anne, as an introvert I sometimes feel like I'm missing out simply because solitary activities can usually be deferred much more than interpersonal ones, for obvious reasons. However, generally I find that passing up social interaction for even the most deferrable solitary activity like reading is ultimately for the better if I've had my quota of dealing with other people for the day. (As a high-school student, this quota is almost always reached by 2:00 PM or so.) I'd also like to second/third/fourth that introverts can be situationally extroverted around the right people. I've been shocked to hear people describe me as "intense" or "outgoing" before realizing that yes, I am intense and outgoing _around these people only_. Anne, as an introvert I sometimes feel like I’m missing out simply because solitary activities can usually be deferred much more than interpersonal ones, for obvious reasons. However, generally I find that passing up social interaction for even the most deferrable solitary activity like reading is ultimately for the better if I’ve had my quota of dealing with other people for the day. (As a high-school student, this quota is almost always reached by 2:00 PM or so.)

I’d also like to second/third/fourth that introverts can be situationally extroverted around the right people. I’ve been shocked to hear people describe me as “intense” or “outgoing” before realizing that yes, I am intense and outgoing _around these people only_.

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