Posted on 06/15/2007 4:51:54 PM PDT by WFTR
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
In our ongoing series of "get acquainted" threads, this weekend's topic is whether folks are introverts or extroverts and how the difference might affect us.
In any discussion of this topic, an important point is to define what each of these personality traits means. An inaccurate and abbreviated definition, likely spoken by an extrovert, would be, "Extroverts like other people and introverts do not." A more accurate and interesting definition that I've read in many recent articles is that extroverts are people who are "recharged" by their interactions with other people and drained by having to be alone or do things alone. Introverts are the opposite. Introverts are often drained by social interaction and recharged by time spent alone. Another description that I read once but haven't been able to find again is that introverts don't dislike people but that they have a strong preference for close friendships that are already formed. Extroverts also have a need for close friendships, but they are equally as excited by the possibilities of meeting new people.
An important point is that introverts and extroverts really are "wired" differently. I've read in a couple of places that each personality type's brain will work differently when confronted with certain situations. Neither type can just "change" because being the other type seems better or because others exert pressure to make a person change.
Just over a year ago, Alamo-Girl and Nita Nupress started a thread where they asked people to take a personality survey that would identify several aspects of personality. One of these was a person's tendency to being an introvert or extrovert. That thread is at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1600787/posts . Some of you may have participated in that thread. The first initial of the personality types is an "I" or an "E" for introvert or extrovert, and Alamo-Girl and Nita Nupress listed everyone who fit each type. I haven't looked at the results in great detail, but one obvious point is that introvert Freepers outnumber extrovert Freepers by a pretty good margin among those willing to look at a thread on this topic and take the test.
The question of whether one is an introvert or extrovert has implications for us socially and politically.
Socially, extroverts will always have an advantage meeting people. I'm often a 100% introvert on these tests, and I fit the definition of someone who becomes absolutely exhausted and drained by trying to meet new people. Extrovert friends are constantly telling me to "put myself out there" and can't understand why I don't do as they suggest. The problem is that they aren't capable of understanding how difficult that step is for someone whose mind doesn't work as theirs does. The fact that "putting myself out there" is so difficult for me doesn't change the fact that I must find some way to meet people if I'm ever going to have a relationship. However, the notion that us lonely introverts are failing to take "easy steps" to improve our situation is just nonsense.
Politically, being an extrovert is an advantage for many kinds of activism. Knocking on doors or making phone calls for a candidate is much easier for an extrovert than an introvert. I've done a great deal of each in my efforts to promote Republican candidates, and both activities leave me physically, mentally, and emotionally drained. I've been around other people who think that these activities are okay, and I've found that those people are typically more effective than I am.
In a short period of searching, I've found a couple of things on the web about this personality trait and how it relates to political views. They are at http://neuropolitics.org/defaultmar06.asp and http://www.personalitypage.com/political_affil.html .
This kind of thread wouldn't be complete without a self-test, and I've been looking at several on the web. Many seem pretty silly to me, but here's one that seems pretty good.
http://www.blogthings.com/areyouanextrovertorintrovertquiz/
If I were translating some of these questions into political terms, here are a few that I would use.
Would you prefer,
1. to give a speech to 100 people at a gathering to talk about an important issue in your community, or
2. to knock on 100 doors to ask people to vote for your side on that issue?
Would you prefer,
1. to write letters to your Congressional representative and senators about an issue, or
2. to go to a public rally to hold signs stating your views on the issue?
Would you rather,
1. have an impromptu discussion about an issue at a social gathering, or
2. write a commentary about that issue to be posted on a bulletin board.
I think the T-mobile description of you seems accurate from what I know of you.
Many people are a good mix of introvert and extrovert. People who are perfectly balanced are probably the best adjusted people. Those on either extreme have some extra challenges.
Bill
The fact that all of your traits are moderately or slightly expressed is likely a good thing. Being balanced is probably good for most people.
Again, I'm largely guessing about the writing, but I think it makes sense given some of the other things in the articles.
In that case, I'd say that a "1" means that your "J" and "P" are almost perfectly balanced.
This explanation sounds most plausible. The conservative extroverts are out doing non-political things with their friends instead of posting to a forum. When they are doing political things, they are at a political meeting somewhere.
That's why you have the slightly expressed "J" trait. Your being on time for things and meeting schedules is a J characteristic. Being messy is a P characteristic. The professionals in this area wouldn't simplify it as much as I have, and I'm sure that I've missed some points, but I think that's why your results show as they did.
By the way, your employer delivered my newest pet to me this week.
I agree. I'm a 100% introvert. I don't avoid people at all costs, but I don't care for forced conversation with strangers. I think most introverts want a few trusted friends and to be left alone otherwise.
I think it makes you balanced. That's not a bad thing to be.
Hello to you as well. I hope all is well.
Seriously though it may answer why despite being fairly constrained in where I can go and do due to caring for my father and despite being tied to home most of the time when not at work I am fairly content and happy.
Yes, that explanation makes sense.
It’s Sunday night already, so this must be the Sunday night ping.
Thanks for the ping
"Pillar of society?" LOL.
To tell you the truth (I don’t know where this is leading..or at least the path that He’s leading exactly): but I COULD DO EITHER ONE, in all 3) Q’s equally as well. I would prefer both in all 3# Questions! Seriously. I believe God has something for me in Politics..one day!!
As I was reading about introverts and extroverts, one thing I found was that introverts do not necessarily dislike public speaking. Many introverts are great public speakers and have no problem giving speeches that they've had time to prepare. However, the thought of approaching 100 people to knock on their door is generally very distasteful to most introverts. Therefore, someone who would rather give the speech than knock on the doors is likely to be an introvert.
On the second question, writing a letter is something that can best be done in private. Again, an introvert would generally prefer that kind of private action rather than being in public with a group of people and being seen by others.
The third question is more of the same. Generally, an introvert doesn't like being drawn into something on the spur of the moment. Instead, an introvert will be more comfortable with the option of being able to give responses careful thought as people can do on a message board.
If you really don't have a preference in any of those scenarios, you are likely equally balanced between being an introvert and an extrovert. An important point is to be able to separate what you really find most appealing from what you believe you have to do because of your religious beliefs. I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with going outside your comfort zone for a calling, but in the long run, you're probably better off knowing who you really are to know whether what you see as a calling is really outside your zone.
Bill
Thanks, Bill, no, seriously; I really DO enjoy all those activities.
I do especially like (Door-to-Door) though!
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