Introverts are humans of striking creativity who traditionally bring big ideas to bay or tree. Frequently described as intelligent, alert and confident, introverts are also noted for stamina, endurance, agility, determination and aggressiveness when pursuing a passion. This surprising characterization might describe some introverts that you already know or, possibly, it might be a slightly bastardized version of the AKC breed description of a Plott Hound. The point is that it is difficult to generalize the true nature of any particular introvert, since introversion is only one characteristic among a multitude that defines a personality. To complicate things further, personality traits also tend to exist on a continuum. In the case of introversion, you might see mention of a thing called an extroverted introvert. To extend the canine metaphor, these are considered to be a breed with mixed emotional ancestry and consequently, have temperaments that can be hard to predict. The recommended course of action upon encountering an extroverted introvert in the wild is to decline eye contact and to slowly back away. A more common reaction, however, is to immediately classify such people based on either the first behavior type observed or the dominant trait exhibited during the period of observation. Neither is correct, but because of our need for a mental shorthand to quickly interpret the world around us, we lose appreciation for the nuanced details of the personalities we encounter. The underlying complexity of personality traits is just too much for our brains to compute rapidly, so people end up being binned into categories that rarely suit. Hence, the origin of stereotypes for introverts.
Popular myths about introverts declare that we are shy or misanthropic. Introverts are not necessarily either of these, although some of us may display one or both of these traits. The propagation of these particular myths probably stems from the fact that introverts feel drained after social activity and so, some of us may choose to avoid or curtail these situations. While a typical introvert may enjoy spending time with friends and family, these interactions require an expenditure of energy from us. The extrovert, on the other hand, is invigorated by social interactions and leaves the party feeling more energized. (I do tend to wonder if extreme extroverts are actually energy vampires and that’s why the rest of us, including the majority of extroverts, feel so drained when we interact with them.) For introverts to recharge, we require time alone. I and others consider this fundamental difference in energy management to be the core principle that differentiates introverts and extroverts.
In conclusion, just because we introverts sometimes keep to ourselves, it’s unlikely that we are any more – or less – likely to be serial killers than your average extrovert.
+ + +
If you would like to comment on anything in these posts, I would be delighted to hear from you. Please visit my author’s website to learn more about progress with the Zackie Story series, author appearances, or to send me a message, etc. Or if you prefer, you can also find me on Facebook.
Soul Search and Soul Scent, novels blending fantasy and supernatural suspense, are available for purchase on Amazon and are free on Kindle Unlimited.
If you enjoy the Zackie stories, please, please consider leaving a short review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Your review makes a difference and is incredibly valuable, drawing in other readers and providing access to promotional opportunities that require a specific number of reviews to engage. I’ll be your best friend forever if you write a review.
If you would like to subscribe to this blog, click on the three bars at the upper right. The next post will be available April 30th.
Introvert Broadcasting Network 
You must be logged in to post a comment.