I think introversion is misunderstood. Carl Jung devised the concept of introversion versus extroversion to explain different ATTITUDES toward the outside world.
The level of likeability, boisterousness, outgoingness, loudness, quietness and such are more symptoms than the cause of being an introvert or extrovert. An introvert is someone who considers everything they do as it relates to them: "is this really something I want to do? Does this fit with my understanding of the world as I have formed through experiences?" is something an introvert would think, while and extrovert will just go with the flow and do what everyone else is doing. Extroverts are people who watch the same television shows as everyone else, go to the bar and drink, share the same hobbies and interests, etcetera.
Basically, extroverts are more likely to conform to the norms, and because of this it often appears they are more likeable and adaptable with the norms, but this isn't always the case. Often they become neurotic and disgruntled once they realize that their foolish pursuits were scams perpetrated by advertisers in the media and such.
In reality, introverts can also be popular, talkative, well-liked and influential if the circumstances are right.
Many people blame their personal problems on being an introvert, and think that "if only I were like everyone else, I would be happier" but really they just have not found their calling yet and so feel 'left out' since they don't know how to entertain themselves. They think that everyone else is happier and all their problems are solved with their "coolness" and "popularity" but in reality all of that is just an act, like clapping your hands because you think you're supposed to, or going to war because everyone else is. An introvert has a good ability to see the world more deeply and to comprehend their lives and the meaning of their lives in a way an extraverted attitude does not allow. So an introvert should feel very happy to have that power.
Thank you for your informative answer :)it makes a change from the usual definitions - an extrovert is someone who derives energy from being with others, whereas an introvert energises when being alone. I agree with most of what you've said (except that I do know how to entertain myself).
The problem for me is that we live in an extrovert's world. The majority of people are extoverts and their traits are highly valued. A lot of work environments clarly favour extroverts. The feedback I received after one job interview was that I had not been very "boisterous". This was for an administrator's job for which I had the relevant qualifications and experience. It makes me angry that in addition to everything else you're expected to be an entertainer in the workplace. I'm a hardworking, polite and friendly person who gets on with most people, but that just wasn't enough. I'm just so fed up with this discrimination. If I could swallow a pill to change me from I to E with no side effects, I would do so right now.
For introverts: would you change if you could?
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I think introversion is misunderstood. Carl Jung devised the concept of introversion versus extroversion to explain different ATTITUDES toward the outside world.
The level of likeability, boisterousness, outgoingness, loudness, quietness and such are more symptoms than the cause of being an introvert or extrovert. An introvert is someone who considers everything they do as it relates to them: "is this really something I want to do? Does this fit with my understanding of the world as I have formed through experiences?" is something an introvert would think, while and extrovert will just go with the flow and do what everyone else is doing. Extroverts are people who watch the same television shows as everyone else, go to the bar and drink, share the same hobbies and interests, etcetera.
Basically, extroverts are more likely to conform to the norms, and because of this it often appears they are more likeable and adaptable with the norms, but this isn't always the case. Often they become neurotic and disgruntled once they realize that their foolish pursuits were scams perpetrated by advertisers in the media and such.
In reality, introverts can also be popular, talkative, well-liked and influential if the circumstances are right.
Many people blame their personal problems on being an introvert, and think that "if only I were like everyone else, I would be happier" but really they just have not found their calling yet and so feel 'left out' since they don't know how to entertain themselves. They think that everyone else is happier and all their problems are solved with their "coolness" and "popularity" but in reality all of that is just an act, like clapping your hands because you think you're supposed to, or going to war because everyone else is. An introvert has a good ability to see the world more deeply and to comprehend their lives and the meaning of their lives in a way an extraverted attitude does not allow. So an introvert should feel very happy to have that power.
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Thank you for your informative answer :)it makes a change from the usual definitions - an extrovert is someone who derives energy from being with others, whereas an introvert energises when being alone. I agree with most of what you've said (except that I do know how to entertain myself).
The problem for me is that we live in an extrovert's world. The majority of people are extoverts and their traits are highly valued. A lot of work environments clarly favour extroverts. The feedback I received after one job interview was that I had not been very "boisterous". This was for an administrator's job for which I had the relevant qualifications and experience. It makes me angry that in addition to everything else you're expected to be an entertainer in the workplace. I'm a hardworking, polite and friendly person who gets on with most people, but that just wasn't enough. I'm just so fed up with this discrimination. If I could swallow a pill to change me from I to E with no side effects, I would do so right now.