Which Type of Introvert are You? - Let’s Talk

Psychologist Carl Jung described introverts as persons who prefer minimally stimulating environments and who need time alone to recharge. Introverts tend to feel drained after socializing and regain their energy by spending time alone. This is largely because introverts’ brains respond to dopamine (the happy hormone) differently than extroverts’ brains. In other words, if you’re an introvert, you were likely born that way.

There are four shades of introversion: Social, Thinking, Anxious, and Restrained. However, many introverts are a mix of all four types, rather than demonstrating one type over the others.

Here’s a brief description of each:

Social Introverts are described as persons whose preference is for socializing with small groups of usually close friends rather than large groups. They are both the most outgoing and the most private of the types. Social Introverts are often misconstrued as shy and timid in social settings but that’s not always the truth. Being socially introverted is different from being shy as there’s no anxiety driving the preference for solitude or small groups. Studies show that social introverts rather to stay home with a book or a computer, or stick to small gatherings with close friends as opposed to attending large parties with many strangers. Social introverts are most social with friends so people who don’t know them might assume they are extroverted.

Thinking Introverts. Are you often deep in your thoughts, wondering about life and analyzing yourself? If yes! This is where you would fall. Thinking Introverts is considered one of the newer concepts. It is where persons tend to be introspective, thoughtful, and self-reflective, thus, they are more in touch with their feelings than the average person. These persons might come across as aloof to persons who don’t know them as thinking introverts are often dreaming.

Anxious Introverts, also called Shy Introverts, are the opposite of Social Introverts because Anxious or Shy introverts seek out solitude even when they are with their close friends. Anxious / Shy Introverts feel uncomfortable around other people because they don’t feel very confident in their own social skills. These individuals purposely isolate themselves to avoid the social spotlight, especially in unfamiliar surroundings. Being alone for these types of introverts doesn’t reduce their anxiety as they often brood over what might have gone wrong in social situations or how they could have done things differently even after the event has long gone.

Restrained Introverts or Reserved Introverts prefer to think before they speak or act and don’t like to rush into action. They also might take a while to get going with their activities as they can’t, for instance, wake up and immediately spring into action. Research shows that If you’re a restrained introvert, which is a lesser-known form of introversion, you’re unlikely to feel energized the moment you wake up, rather, you need to take your time to warm up, gather your thoughts and observe before you can speak or act. Restrained introverts strive in routine, hence, they tend to shy away from spontaneous situations and are very careful when making decisions.

Here’s an extra titbit: introversion and extroversion are a spectrum classification, meaning, you may be both introverted as well as extroverted. We will explore extroversion in a follow-up article. So, which shade or shades of introversion do you think most relates to you? Remember to embrace your true self and learn to be comfortable in your own skin.

Contributed by VP Shauna and Kiw Rakeisha😊