Thread: Introversion.

I just did the test, I (100%) N (25%) T (75%) J (33%), I have done this before, think I was INTJ then as well, some things never change!



Pete

Interesting thread. There is so much covered that one wonders where to begin.

Post #39 by Doug raises an interesting point. Centrelink has classifications for
disability. I wonder how much notice is taken of cases like Doug's daughter??
Would she be classified as disabled because she is an introvert, or would a hardline
decision be made by the people doing the people doing the classifying?


As for me I know I am garrulous but in many ways i prefer my own company. Often
I am the only sensible person I can talk to, even in a crowd!

SWMBO is often irritated by the fact that I keep many things close to my chest. Is this
a sign of introversion? I know it is one reason for my battle over the years with the
Black Dog.

What I feel at times, is an aversion to being in crowds. But I love people generally. I hope in my life, to help others find that place of their own assigning in the world and within the knowledge that most of us have neuroses, to reach a place where we can feel lasting joy that isn't at the expense of others.

I find myself reaching out to people all the time and have a reputation for gaining large amounts of fairly personal information from people in record time.

I guess this makes me one of those bloody extroverts but I find myself saddened by that categorization. I don't use the information to gain any knowing advantage over people - it is in an honest desire to connect.

In meetings if I have an opinion I seriously consider sharing that if I feel it is a worthy inclusion. This makes me potentially more vocal than some others but my drive is to speak in the hope of advancing meaningful discussion and doing what I can to contribute in fullness rather than remaining silent even though I may hold strong views or well formed perspectives. Appearing foolish at times is a price I can live with.

The world needs us to celebrate difference yet it takes considerable personal commitment, after all much of society's benchmarking is based around our degree of conformity. So much advertising cajoles doubt where none existed so we buy product X in order to 'blend' with our chosen tribe. I've never felt like I belonged in many places but I've yearned to find a place where ppl feel gracious enough toward me to accept me in spite of my terrible failings.

But if not, each day I'll still get out of bed and try to make a positive difference in the lives of others by being flexible enough in my behaviors to keep connecting around things that matter.

Small talk is a struggle but it is a basic social lubricant that helps cautious people to begin the beginnings of connection. It's only sad when that's all we have.

Apologies for my over long and poorly worded sermon - people of all kinds matter and the sooner we admit that we all desperately need each other the better off we will be.

Steve

As a student of psychology and a studier of leadership behaviors I do not believe personality tests are useful guides to assist us in becoming higher functioning human beings.

Originally Posted by seriph1

I find myself reaching out to people all the time and have a reputation for gaining large amounts of fairly personal information from people in record time.

I guess this makes me one of those bloody extroverts but I find myself saddened by that categorization. I don't use the information to gain any knowing advantage over people - it is in an honest desire to connect.


Steve

Dunno if that makes you an extrovert or just a good listener. I would not normally tell an extrovert much cos they are always buzzing around talking themselves. At least that is my impression. Or maybe just my misguided definition. Getting people to talk would be a handy skill. I'm not good at it. Never ask the right questions or something.

Originally Posted by tea lady

Getting people to talk would be a handy skill. I'm not good at it. Never ask the right questions or something.

No idea how i do it Tealady, but I do know that an insatiable curiosity about people, a sincere love FOR people and an earnest desire to learn, seems to help.

But I still talk far too much and it is a definite failing on my part

I have just picked up on this thread and am totally confused.

I have associated with a few of you around the traps and could never
have imagined the complexities of your every day living or social interactions.

Is it too simplistic to claim that we all have our "ups and downs", that
some days we are the dog and the next day the tree. In certain company
I am totally bored and wished I was elsewhere, in others I enjoy the
atmosphere ... but overall I am glad to be alive, reasonably healthy and
look forward to waking up each day.

Next time we meet I may appear to be an introvert, or perhaps an extrovert ?

Keep your mind active, take time to smell the roses.

Allan

Originally Posted by Allan at Wallan

I have just picked up on this thread and am totally confused.

I have associated with a few of you around the traps and could never
have imagined the complexities of your every day living or social interactions.

Is it too simplistic to claim that we all have our "ups and downs", that
some days we are the dog and the next day the tree. In certain company
I am totally bored and wished I was elsewhere, in others I enjoy the
atmosphere ... but overall I am glad to be alive, reasonably healthy and
look forward to waking up each day.

Next time we meet I may appear to be an introvert, or perhaps an extrovert ?

Keep your mind active, take time to smell the roses.

Allan

Its true. Mostly I like people. But I use to be terribly shy an dnever say boo. I am a bit less so now, and will happily tell inappropriate rude jokes anywhere. Although perhaps that is how you tell i'm not quite at home yet. And after a day socializing somewhere, or talking to people at Markets I have to hole up and spend time by myself. I guess that can be called "ups and downs."

As has been posted, intro/extraversion have a specific meaning in the MBTI and it's not quite about how sociable or socially skilled in company you are.

Steve, yep, there are lots of debates among psychologists about what personality means and whether traits are enduring or not.

The MBTI is about preferences, along a scale.

It and other inventories have been found useful by practitioners and the public. Regardless of validity they have proved to be enduringly useful tools. Nothing in psychology or sociology is 100% rolled gold.