Relationally intelligent introverts are often highly self-aware, observant, and are excellent listeners. In fact, one study conducted in 2018 by Newport Healthcare found that introverts tend to make more accurate observations about human behavior than extroverts. Introverts tend to “read” people and situations better.
On average, introverts and extroverts are the same in terms of intelligence. But statistics show that around 70% of gifted people are introverts. People are considered “gifted” when they exhibit above-average intelligence or a superior talent for something, such as music, art or math.
One study found that introverts may actually have better interpersonal skills than extroverts. Since they often spend their time observing others, they are usually better at predicting reactions from others in social situations. This allows them to read others and respond appropriately.
If you're an introvert, you likely possess emotional intelligence skills that your more gregarious counterparts secretly admire, and rightly so. Introverts are often misread as people who wish they could change. But that's not so!
Sometimes referred to as the "Advocate" or the "Idealist," people with this personality type often feel misunderstood. Perhaps it's because INFJ is the rarest MBTI personality type, making up only 1% to 3% of the U.S. population.1 Or maybe it's because they're walking, talking contradictions.
ISFJ. ISFJ's are quiet, conscientious, and kind.
Because they're quiet by nature, introverts are “natural-born listeners,” writes Kahnweiler. They tend to carefully take in all information and opinions, and only after digesting it, offer a thoughtful answer.
Deep Thinkers
Introverts often focus on their inner world first, leading them to think more deeply about things than others. This high focus is usually applied to critical areas of an introvert's life.
Introverts tend to be more prone to overthinking than extroverts, but it's possible for anyone to fall into this trap. Being an introvert means you have a tendency towards self-reflection that can take its toll if you're not careful.
Are you born introverted or is it something you become over time? Introverts likely develop due to a combination of both nature and nurture. The way that your body's physiology responds to the outside environment plays a critical role in determining your level of extroversion and introversion.
The brains of introverts look and react differently than the brains of extroverts. The key differences: The prefrontal cortex. Introverts have a thicker prefrontal cortex than extroverts, which means they have more tissue in the area of the brain associated with deep thought and decision-making.
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.
It's not uncommon for introverts to get the reputation of both “the wise one” and “the absent-minded professor.” Many introverts are deep-thinkers. We puzzle things out internally, turning issues over and over in our minds. We feel at home in our inner world, daydreaming and reflecting.
You're the silent type
You'll find plenty of misconceptions about quiet people, e.g. being labeled as introverts, socially awkward and so on. This isn't necessarily true, and while not all quiet people are necessarily smart, highly intelligent people will often refrain from speaking if they are accessing a situation.
Introverts enjoy spending time in nature as it makes them feel more grounded and at peace. Being surrounded by the smell of rain feels like a piece of nature is with them inside the comfort of their own home. This sense of being grounded is important, as many superficial conversations can remove this feeling for them.
Introverts think deeply about goals and challenges
This high level of focus is also usually applied to key areas of an introvert's life. An introverted leader will often ponder on goals and challenges for a long time and thoroughly flush out their position, before presenting these ideas to a group.
At the heart of the Introverted Thinking type is endless curiosity. These are the people who are constantly learning. If you're an Introverted Thinking person, you probably enjoy teaching yourself new skills, deep-diving into new topics and devoting your time to understanding and figuring out new problems.
Introverts are deep thinkers.
Just like emotional regulation, this is a trait that becomes more attractive when someone has experienced its absence. If someone has been exhausted by the shallowness of another person, they'll be even more drawn to an introvert's depth.
Weaknesses: social anxiety, shyness, navigating a predominantly extroverted world.
Because introverts tend to think before speaking or acting, they are less prone to impulsive behavior and the kinds of accidents that can result. A focus on internal rather than external cues may curtail overeating. 5 And being tuned in to the need to recharge, introverts tend to get more sleep than extroverts.
As an introvert, you may have to work harder at reaching out for help, says McBain, because you may not inherently share your emotions and thoughts with others. Often, avoiding specific situations is how introverts handle stress. Not doing so can result in overwhelm.
INTJ. Much like their extroverted counterparts, INTJs are also known for their self-assurance—and it's actually this introverted intuition that contributes to their confidence.
INTP. According to Comen, both INTJs and INTPs are among the smartest, adding that thinking is actually "the primary life goal" for INTPs, as opposed to the key tool. These people are most likely to be engineers and mathematicians, Robledo says.