taking a look at myths surrounding the mbti - myth 4

All Introverts are shy and all shy people are Introverts.

Wrong!

It’s a common misconception though, and one that Introverts can find frustrating!

When it comes to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Framework, the term Introvert relates to how you gain energy or recharge your energy levels when you are drained.

​Introverts are energised by having time alone to reflect after a busy day of interacting with others and may ‘pass’ on an invitation to socialise after work, preferring a quiet evening in with a good book to recharge. But this can be misinterpreted as shyness.

All Introverts are shy and all shy people are Introverts.

Introversion is not the same thing as being shy. Being an Introvert means the outer world drains you and the inner world recharges you, while being shy means you get nervous and self-conscious in social situations. They’re different things. 
Shyness and Introversion have long been confused. Some people who are Introverted resent being called shy, and vice versa. Bill Gates is Introverted but not shy: He's quiet and bookish, but isn't bothered by what other people think of him.
An Introvert may skip a party and read a book, but it's not because they're afraid of socialising; they just don't want to go and to deal with people. A shy person may actually want to deal with people but experience so much anxiety that they don't go to the party at all, or go but don't talk to anyone out of fear.

Many Introverts aren't shy; they may feel confident and at ease around people, but simply require more alone time to balance out the energy they expend in social situations. Similarly, an Extravert may seek the company of others but feel insecure or uncomfortable in groups.

Introversion refers to a tendency toward becoming over-stimulated and the need to be alone to gain energy.

The Introversion/Extraversion distinction has its roots in Jungian psychology, which views Extraverts as being more naturally oriented towards the outside world, and Introverts more focused on their own inner world.

The number-one misconception about Introversion is that it’s about shyness. One study on shyness gives the distinction that; shyness is a behaviour - it’s being fearful in a social situation. Whereas Introversion is a motivation. It’s how much you want and need to be in those interactions.

Everyone is born with a way that they gain energy and prefer to interact with the world. Whether you’re an Introvert or Extravert is largely determined by your genes — meaning you were probably born that way, but of course, we are also shaped by our life experiences.

Of course, not all Introverts are the same. Some Introverts will need only a little bit of alone time to recharge and can handle a fair amount of social time before feeling drained. Others drain quickly and prefer to spend very long periods alone. It’s different for each person, and many Introverts are somewhere in the middle.

Sooner or later, however, all Introverts will experience the dreaded Introvert hangover, which is the feeling of being completely wiped out from too much ‘people time’ or stimulation. This can mean feeling fatigued, unable to concentrate, or even grouchy. It’s as if your brain has used up all its mental energy and just doesn’t haven’t any left. (And, in fact, that’s exactly what has happened!).
​
Most Introverts share certain characteristics:

• They’d rather stay home most nights than go out to one social event after another.
• They enjoy quiet, solitary activities like reading, writing, gaming, gardening, or drawing.
• They’ll usually choose the company of a few close friends over a wild party.
• They do their best work alone.
• Many will avoid small talk or other unnecessary social interactions.

Want to find out more? A certified MBTI practitioner can help you to discover your preferred world. Get in touch.

​This blog forms part of the Myers-Briggs myth busting series I am doing with Tamsin Regnes.