Jefferson Review

"Your Liberty is Our Interest"

Home /  Archives / Search / Links / Quotes / Book Reviews / Advertise /Contact us / Subscribe / Calendar

Are You An Introvert Or An Extrovert?

By Theresa Fritz Camoriano

Did you ever wonder why some people are very outgoing while others are more retiring?  Or why some people are very quick on their feet while others struggle to come up with the right words in conversation?  I just finished reading The Introvert Advantage , by Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D., a fascinating book, which explains that the brains of introverts and extroverts actually function differently, with the thought processes of introverts taking a longer path, which makes it much more difficult for them to come up with the snappy retort but better suited for deep thinking.

According to Ms. Laney, extroverts are energized by getting out and interacting with other people, while introverts may well enjoy being around other people but find that kind of experience to be draining.  On the other hand, introverts recharge their batteries when they can retreat inside their heads.  They need a quiet, reflective place where they can think things through and recharge themselves. 

If you do not know whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, consider how you have reacted in a very serious emergency.  Did you tend to reach outside of yourself and become physically active, or did you tend to become quiet and to retreat inside yourself?  The people who instinctively reach out are the extroverts, and those who instinctively retreat into their own thoughts are the introverts.  Laney explains that, since 75% of the population are extroverts, the introverts may often feel like fish out of water.

Understanding the different natures of introverts and extroverts can help us better understand ourselves and the people around us so we can all play to our own and others’ strengths.  It can help us relate better to our spouses and children, to coworkers, and to others.  For example, it is helpful to understand that being the center of attention may really charge the batteries of an extrovert, but it may be very taxing on an introvert.  At the same time, pondering the implications of some weighty problem or planning the details of a complex event may really charge the batteries of an introvert, but it would be very taxing on an extrovert.  The book gives tips to introverts about how to enjoy large parties and other environments that tend to be difficult for them.  It discusses problems that may be encountered by introverts in the workplace and how to deal with them, and it teaches introverts how to recharge their batteries and pace themselves so they will have the energy they need. 

I found the book to be very fascinating and enlightening, and I recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.

Weather (Louisville) / Mapquest / Search / White Pages / Business Search / CNN / Dictionary / E-card / MSN