Studies showed that introverts tend to have lower self-esteem than extraverts (Bown and Richek, 1969; Tolor, 1975; Cheng and Furnham, 2003; Swickert et al., 2004).
Someone who is introverted is not fearful of being around people, spending too long around people may be draining for them. Because someone is introverted it doesn't automatically mean that they lack confidence, they lack self-belief, or that they are shy.
Introverts Don't Have Low Self Esteem
Another common misconception about introverts is that they are quiet and reserved because they have low self-esteem or lack self-confidence.
Many introverts are confident people and introversion is not about lack of confidence, but characterises those who are more stimulated by internal thought than by external action and interaction.
While introverts definitely have the reputation of being insecure and shy, we are no more insecure than other personality types. I've come to realize that extroverts may feel the pressure to portray this loud and outspoken brand of confidence even more than introverts do.
Big Crowds
Swarms of strangers can be a fear for many people for various reasons, but it is particularly common for anxious introverts. Introverts gather their energy from being alone, but that doesn't mean the “all alone in a crowd of people” thing always works.
Introverts are looked down upon for lack of good 'communication skills'. Right from an early age, introverts have to compete very hard with peers, who seem to have no problem in public or interpersonal speaking. What seems to be effortless for peers is actually the most difficult task for an introverted child.
Low self-esteem is when someone lacks confidence about who they are and what they can do. They often feel incompetent, unloved, or inadequate. People who struggle with low self-esteem are consistently afraid about making mistakes or letting other people down.
Introverts tend to be thoughtful and have exceptional powers of concentration; they can focus on a single task for long periods of time. However, an introvert's strength can turn into a weakness if it becomes unbalanced.
While introverts may appear to lack social skills or be antisocial, neither is true. Their style of social interaction is simply different from that of extroverts. They tend to listen more than they talk and are excellent listeners.
Overall findings show introverts are more vulnerable than extraverts to depression and decreased mental well-being. Introverts are more likely to be compliant and have lower self-esteem than extraverts, and also have less social support than extraverts, which can be detrimental when experiencing depression.
While introverts are generally likely to report lower levels of happiness than extroverts, this does not mean that introverts are unhappy. Ultimately, it's important to note the happiness benefits of both introverted and extroverted behavior, no matter where you fall on the spectrum.
Introverts struggle with the fast pace of many organizations and offices without walls can be rough for introverts who prefer to go inward to do their best thinking. If you're an introvert, you struggle with finding quiet time to gather your thoughts, particularly at brainstorming meetings.
Which signs are the introverts of the zodiac? Virgo, Pisces, Capricorn, Cancer and Scorpio - even Aquarius to a degree. Also the gender of the individual has a lot to do with their inherent nature, for example, Aquarius men are a lot more introverted than Aquarius female.
This means that introverts may process more information per second than extroverts, which helps explain why introverts are prone to overthinking.
While introverts make up an estimated 25% to 40% of the population, there are still many misconceptions about this personality type. It is also important to note that being an introvert does not mean that you are socially anxious or shy.
Assertive Debaters (ENTP-A), Executives (ESTJ-A), and Entrepreneurs (ESTP-A) (all 95%), and Assertive Commanders (ENTJ-A) (98%) are the personality types reporting the highest confidence in their own abilities.
Independence. Unique and fiercely independent, introverts are more inclined to let their own inner resources guide them than follow the crowd. We do our best work — and are our happiest — when we have the freedom to explore ideas, spend time alone, and be self-directed and independent.
Introversion isn't totally genetic. It gets influenced by your environment at a young age, and our genes allow a certain amount of flexibility in response. This happens through “set points,” which are the upper and lower limits of how much extroversion your brain can handle.
Introversion, shyness and anxiety
Introverts can experience a bit of anxiety when they need to speak in social situations. Introducing themselves, talking to a stranger or public speaking are mentally draining for them. These are the examples of a definitely stressful situation out of their comfort zone.