Getting to Know the Introvert Personality Type Deeper - Introverts are a personality type that is often mistaken for shy. In fact, introverts and shyness are not the same things. Shy people tend to feel worried or uncomfortable in certain social situations, especially when it comes to interacting with people they don't know.
In fact, shyness is a mental disorder, although everyone has a mild illness, it is also classified as a social anxiety disorder. At the same time, introverts prefer to be alone to gather their energy. However, introverts actually have no problem in social situations.
An introvert is a personality type, which is the opposite of an extrovert. But in reality, there is an element of introverts and extroverts between everyone. The difference is, that some people are more dominated by introverts, and vice versa, some people are more dominated by extroverts.
It is important to know whether you are an introvert or an extrovert. The reason is that in addition to knowing yourself better, you can get and focus more effectively the right way.
1. Feeling tired when in a crowd
2. Enjoying solitude
3. Have a group with close friends
4. It is difficult for other people to know yourself better
5. More interested in independent work
How do you know someone is an introvert?
Everyone actually has an introvert or extrovert personality element. It's just that some people are more controlling, so an introvert will be more dominated by an introvert.
Then, how to know or diagnose these characters? There are several personality tests that can be used to measure which elements dominate a person.
Some of them are:
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI),
- Keirsey temperament sorting engine,
- personality style indicator,
- Five-factor model personality scale.
Even so, professional experts still believe that by observing each person directly, a person's personality is either introverted or extroverted. The reason is those personality elements that stand out more than a person are usually very context-dependent.
Introvert traits
To find out if you are an introvert,understand some of the following characteristics
1. Energy can be drained when spending time with many people
Introverts have no problem interacting in social situations. However, if you spend too much time with other people, your energy will be drained easily. Especially if he has to interact with many people at one time.
This is certainly different from extroverts who actually get energy when they meet many people. Therefore, to restore their energy, introverts will spend time alone after meeting many people.
2. Enjoy spending time alone
Maybe some people think that people who like to be alone have an unpleasant personality. For example, gloomy, often sad, and so on. In fact, for introverts, happiness is found when they can spend time alone.
If you're an introvert, spending time doing things you enjoy alone is the best. It can also help you “recharge” positive energy. However, that does not mean introverts will be alone 24 hours a day.
As an introvert, you also enjoy spending time interacting with those closest to you, such as friends and family.
3. Few friends, but quality
People often misunderstand that introverts don't like to hang out, so they don't have close friends. Of course, that assumption is not true, because when you have an introverted personality, you still like to interact with other people and have close friends.
Even so, your number of friends may not be as many as extroverts have. However, the friendships that introverts have are very high quality. The reason is, that even though they only have one or two close friends, people with this personality will maintain and care for their friendship well.
4. It's easier to get distracted
Given that introverts prefer to spend time alone, people with this personality are often overwhelmed when it comes to being in a crowd and meeting lots of people. Not surprisingly, they are often easily distracted.
This makes it very difficult to focus and concentrate when you have to do something. Therefore, if they feel they have to focus, people with this personality prefer to be in a quiet and calm place without distractions.
5. More self-aware
Given that introverts get more energy when they are alone, they tend to be more self-aware or self-aware. The reason is, introverts often dive into their thoughts and feelings, so they can learn more about various things related to themselves.
For example, introverts love being able to try different hobbies to see which one they prefer. In addition, they also like to think about the life that is and will be lived. There are also those who like to read books and watch movies that are related or feel close to self-reflection.
6. Learning by observation
While extroverts prefer to learn by hands-on practice, introverts prefer to observe first. Therefore, before doing something, they tend to study first before practicing it directly.
In fact, not infrequently they see other people do it repeatedly until they feel confident that they can imitate or do it themselves. When it comes to practice, introverts prefer to do it in a place that not many people know about.
Myths that are often circulated about the introvert personality
Introverts and extroverts are often hot topics of conversation. Unfortunately, not infrequently various myths circulated about introverts that are actually not proven, for example:
1. Introverts have a hard time being a leader
Many think that people with introverted personalities find it difficult to become a leader. In fact, this is not proven true, because a study published in the Academy of Management in 2012 stated that introverts and extroverts can both be good leaders.
If extroverts can become good leaders by exploring the potential of more passive team members. Meanwhile, introverts can be good leaders by listening to input from each team member to get the best results.
Social skills and introverted personality are actually not related. Especially in terms of leadership, because an introvert can contribute to success with his thoroughness and regularity.
Yes, usually, introverts do tend to be more thorough and organized in doing research, reading, planning things, and other jobs that do require concentration and calm.
2. Introvert personality can be cured or changed
Someone who has an introverted personality is often considered to have a mental disorder, so not a few consider it a negative thing. In fact, there is nothing wrong with this personality.
Yes, introversion is not a mental disorder or disease. Introversion is simply a personality type as opposed to extroversion or extrovert personality. It's just that people with extroverted personalities often don't understand the characteristics of introverts.
No wonder if all your actions as an introvert may often be misunderstood. This can make introverts have a hard time at school or at work. This is because they are often criticized for being more active, talking more, or hanging out with their peers more often.
The thing is, introverts are not the same as being shy or antisocial. People with this personality are oversensitive to dopamine. That is, when receiving too much stimulation from the outside, such as socializing with many people at the same time, physical and mental energy will be drained.
3. Introverts are arrogant and antisocial people
This is an incorrect statement. You need to know that introverts don't feel like they have to talk if they don't have to. Sometimes, people with this personality prefer to pay attention to the people around them or be lost in their own thoughts.
However, other people who do not understand the introverted personality interpret this attitude as an arrogant attitude. In fact, according to introverts, the act of observing and paying attention to these people is a fun thing.
Introverts tend to prefer to interact face-to-face with only one person at a time. Instead of being arrogant or cold, introverts generally like other people, but value time together, and value quality over quantity of relationships.
How to deal with this type of personality?
If you know someone with this personality, you may be confused about how to act or respond to avoid misunderstandings. Don't worry, there are some tips that you can try to interact with introverts, such as the following.
1. Understand what is meant by introversion
The first thing you can do is to understand more deeply about this personality type. This way, you can know the possibilities that can occur, including the challenges that may arise in the future when it comes to interacting with people with introverted personalities.
The problem is, if you don't understand how a person with this personality behaves, goes about his day, and what habits he may have, you may think the person is depressed.
In fact, this is only the character of the personality, and the way to understand it is different. Therefore, you should not jump to conclusions too quickly. What you need to understand is that introversion is a personality type and not a disease that needs special attention.
2. Don't force her to change her personality
Because they are often misunderstood as shy and aloof, introverts are sometimes thought of as people who have problems with their mental health. If a person with this personality prefers to be alone in his room or prefers to be alone with what he is doing, allow him to do so.
Why is that? The reason is, that people with this personality actually feel most comfortable with themselves when they can do various things on their own. Don't forget, that introverts need time alone to digest new events that they experience.
Also avoid forcing an introverted person to change their personality by socializing, especially if they are in a new environment. Let him observe for a moment before joining in and interacting with new people.
3. Help people with this personality feel comfortable
If you have a family member with an introverted personality or are close to someone who has this personality, try to help them feel more comfortable. For example, if you're dividing up chores around the house, give him tasks that allow him to work individually, such as washing dishes or mowing the lawn.
In addition, although people with this personality don't mean they don't like to socialize, they do get tired more easily if they have to interact with many people. Therefore, give him some time to rest and be alone in his room if you know that he has just "used up" his energy in social activities.
Give him space and time to recharge in his solitude. By understanding their needs and conditions, introverts will feel more valued and understood.