Common Misconceptions About Introverts, Myth vs. Reality


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This is a discussion on Common Misconceptions About Introverts, Myth vs. Reality within the INTP Forum - The Thinkers forums, part of the NT's Temperament Forum- The Intellects category; Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk . This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have ...

  1. #1
    INTP - The Thinkers

    Common Misconceptions About Introverts, Myth vs. Reality

    Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
    This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.
    Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
    Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.
    Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
    Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.
    Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
    On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.
    Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
    Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.
    Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
    Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.
    Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
    Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.
    Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
    Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.
    Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
    Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.
    Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
    Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ.














    Sooo... Any thoughts?
    skierface and Zerosum thanked this post.



  2. #2
    INTP - The Thinkers

    I think introverts are the devil.
    Obsidean and cranberryplains thanked this post.



  3. #3
    INTP - The Thinkers

    Quote Originally Posted by Zara Ignatova View Post
    Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
    This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.
    Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
    Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.
    Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
    Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.
    Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
    On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.
    Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
    Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.
    Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
    Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.
    Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
    Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.
    Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
    Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.
    Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
    Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.
    Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
    Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ.












    Sooo... Any thoughts?

    I have seen this document so many times. i dont care either way. Its the redundancy that bothers me.



  4. #4
    INFP - The Idealists


    Well, I havent seen this list before. It was interesting.

    What's wrong with redundancy? What's wrong with redundancy?
    Peripheral, skierface, Chrysantheist and 3 others thanked this post.



  5. #5
    ENTP - The Visionaries

    I haven't seen this list either and it is definitely fascinating!

    I have always been struggling to accept whether or not, I am an introvert or an extrovert.

    I cant push the thank button enough! Have definitely confirmed that I am an extrovert, that can be shy occassionally :D Thank you!



  6. #6
    INTP - The Thinkers

    I think this might be a good list to help extroverts accept that it's okay that introverts are different in certain respects. It may help them to interact with someone who is an introvert, and it may also help an introvert give themselves permission to take the time they need or to not feel so pressured to 'fit in' or 'be fixed'. This list is a good list of examples of differences, but each introvert has different capacities and their own strengths and weaknesses.



  7. #7
    INTP - The Thinkers

    I think people actually respect introversion. If you're not downright rude, which you shouldn't be anyway, and at least smile or nod or whatever, I find people think you're more intelligent than the ones that are bubbly and vivacious and chatty.
    Introversion =/= lack of social skills. I'm an introvert, and I'm not that awkward, and many of my extravert friends are painfully shy. This means introverts are not just awkward extroverts, and extroverts are not louder introverts. I usually never have any problems with extraverts, unless they're bossy and obnoxious. I think the main extraverts you seem to be talking about are those bossy EJ's; but again, if you're polite and attempt to be friendly, they have no reason to distrust you.
    To sum it up: introverts are not always recluses, and extraverts are not always the nosy soccer-mom type.



  8. #8
    INTP - The Thinkers

    Quote Originally Posted by Zara Ignatova View Post
    Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
    This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.
    Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
    Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.
    Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
    Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.
    Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
    On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.
    Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
    Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.
    Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
    Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.
    Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
    Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.
    Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
    Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.
    Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
    Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.
    Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
    Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ.












    Sooo... Any thoughts?
    This post is actually productive as it's a good discussion to have - there ARE misconceptions about what it means to be introverted as defined by MBTI, and to make matters worse the colloquial definition of that word is often substituted or juxtaposed for the MBTI term, and vice-versa.

    As for your assertions while some are on point they overall show a schizophrenic INTP-centeredness in that some definitions seem to describe the INTP version of "introversion" (e.g. #1), and others seem to actually define it as if the INTP version doesn't exist (e.g. #8) or at least seem overly concerned with the self-evident argument that INTP's aren't the only version of introvert out there.

    INTP's have their own "symptoms" of introversion which are quite different from others', ISFJ's for example. MBTI "introversion" ultimately simply amounts to where you get your energy or motivation from, in relative or literal solitude versus socializing with others (which you basically covered in #5 & #6). Every other description as to what it means to be introverted for the purposes of MBTI springs from that, but you only covered some of them.
    Sleeve Of Wizard, L, koalaroo and 1 others thanked this post.



  9. #9
    INTP - The Thinkers

    Nice list, but, however, it probably won't be read by anyone but introverts. So, it's not really helping anyone (besides introverts who have been led to believe that they should "fix" themselves, and those who are discriminated against for being introverts).

    For most people, though, there's basically outgoing and shy. And many people that I know don't even know the words extravert and introvert. So, this list becomes pretty useless for those who don't know what introversion and extraversion is. It's even worse for those who don't have the drive to look the words up in a dictionary (or google). Of course, that's my experience as an 8th grader. Hopefully more people will know the words introvert and extravert as they get older. ^^



  10. #10
    ENTJ - The Executives

    I agree with all of them except #8.




 

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