The popular belief, however, lacks openness in the cultural definition of introversion. The introverts prone to have spontaneous inside conversations are deemed as “anti-social” or “unwilling to cooperate;” those quiet but internally enriching people are stigmatized as “having nothing to contribute” in group work.
Introverts are misunderstood and misjudged
When a person tends to keep to themself more, they can also be perceived as rude or misunderstood altogether. This includes first impressions that many introverts make that probably don't capture who they actually are as a person.
Unfortunately, introverts don't exactly thrive on talking about themselves, so they often come off as rude upon first meeting them. But the truth is, introverts just get incredibly nervous meeting new people, and don't exactly know what to say at all times.
Some people are also biased against introverts in ways that affect them in the workplace. Some examples of biases against introverts include: People might assume that introverts are stuck up and uninterested in getting to know other people, so they might exclude them from group experiences.
People who are natural introverts often feel pressure to change. They worry that they are not outgoing enough, and so sometimes they push themselves to socialize in ways that cause them more stress than enjoyment.
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.
Being an introvert doesn't necessarily mean you're socially awkward, but the two do sometimes overlap. Certainly, as in my case, the fear of feeling anxious and awkward in social settings can cause us to lean into our introversion.
Introverts are sometimes looked down upon for being shy and timid, however, one should not be ashamed of being an introvert. In fact, being comfortable with self and enjoying being alone can be looked at as a strength.
Though introverts may be perceived as intimidating due to these qualities, they simply have different priorities and values. This is the way they are, and it works for them. Introverts do not intentionally intimidate others; they just tend to get caught up in doing so inadvertently.
67% of introverts surveyed(1) believe they are disadvantaged in business because of being introverted. A causal factor is the negative perception of introversion portrayed, leading to people thinking of the negative traits of introverts.
Introverts in distress won't always choose solitude, but if their emotional discomfort is caused by anger, they may seek to isolate themselves from everyone else in the house or building. Angry Introverts are in a sensitive state, and they can easily become overstimulated by too much social contact.
Being alone gives us time to think and do tasks without needing to worry about others' needs. Introverts love to spend time alone to recharge and think. They are authentic and know what they want most of the time. They are not without friends; they just like to have more time alone than other people do.
Introverts may feel like outsiders because it's the initial phase of forming a relationship (becoming an insider) that is the most tiring. Finding common ground with others, especially multiple others, can take a lot of probing small talk, which is exhausting and often anxiety-inducing for introverts.
Perhaps the toughest part of being an introvert is not so much talking about yourself, but rather wishing you were better at talking about yourself.
Extroverts generally have lots of friends, and they love to party. Introverts, on the other hand, prefer to avoid excitement and pressure from the outside world. They're more reserved and thoughtful, unwilling to make quick decisions. They prefer quiet environments.
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.
Are introverts attractive? Yes, and their gentle personality is one of those reasons. Introverts appeal to people because they're easy to be around. Even though it's a common misconception that they're stuck up, their aura is indeed welcoming.
According to research, introverts also have more brain activity than most individuals because of their inward personalities. Their quietness helps them balance out the level of stimulation their brains experience, and is the reason why most introvert traits like keen observation needs silence to function.
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.
They avoid eye contact or don't maintain it for long.
Not all introverts are shy or have social anxiety, but some do. Introverts who truly feel uncomfortable in crowds often have a hard time maintaining eye contact. Plus, they don't want to encourage others to talk to them.
One reason why introverts make people uncomfortable is because they don't react to anything right away. Instead, they get very quiet and often are completely expressionless. Many people assume it's because introverts aren't interested, don't care, or believe whatever's out there on the table is bad, dumb, or trash.
Can you be introverted and have ADHD? Absolutely. People with ADHD have a diverse range of presentations and personality traits. This 2017 study of children with ADHD found that 58% of participants were introverted.
They may feel so nervous, they become sweaty. Their heart may beat quicker, and they may get a stomachache. They may be inclined to skip social events because they don't like the negative feelings that take over their thoughts and bodies when they have to go to parties or other activities.
Introverts are more likely to be effective leaders in organizations that encourage workers to contribute ideas. Introverts' listening skills may draw top results from their teams. 7 Introverts also are observant, noticing details and connections others may not—including contributions that other introverts can make.