Subscribe to Posts
Subscribe to CommentsIndividual Entry: “The Introvert Advantage”
« XHTML, CSS and the rest of the alphabet soup |
Main
| Morality in media (TV, games, etc.) »
If you read this blog, PLEASE sign in to my guest book on frappr.
No personally identifying information is needed, so this is risk-free. Just provide a name (even a nickname), your zip code, and any statement you want to make ("hi" is sufficient).If you want to know more about me, click here.
April 04, 2005
Books : “The Introvert Advantage”
“The Introvert Advantage. How to Thrive in an Extrovert World”
by Dr. Marti Olsen Laney Psy.D.
"Hi, my name is Steven. I’m an Introvert”
“Hi, Steven.”
OK, the idea of Introverts Anonymous may seem like a redundancy to some people; but I can attest that the 1/3 of the population who are introverts are in desperate need of a support group in our extrovert-dominated society. Many introverts come to the conclusion that they are abnormal, broken, mentally or psychologically deficient given the expectations which are set by society; but being an introvert is normal, and in fact society needs functioning introverts. Being an introvert is not the same as being shy or socially inept – those are independent characteristics which can be experienced by both introverts and extroverts.
The difference between true introverts and true extroverts is in the machinery of the brain and what makes its engine run.
Extroverts are driven by external stimulus. They gain psychological energy by interacting with the outside world. Sitting alone with their own thoughts tends to be draining for extroverts; but being in a chaotic party with many people is invigorating. Physiologically, extrovert’s brains are dominated by the dopamine cycle, allowing them to be respond to the outside world quickly. Extroverts need some time each day interacting with rich sources of stimulus (usually other people).
Introverts are driven by internal thought. They gain psychological energy by contemplation - thinking through ideas in depth. Sitting alone with their own thoughts tends to invigorate them; but being in a chaotic party with many people is draining. Physiologically, extrovert’s brains are dominated by the acetylcholine cycle, allowing them to remember and process things at length. Extroverts need some time each day to be alone and think.
The consequences of these differences are manifold, and are often difficult on introverts who find modern society to be over stimulating – filling their input buffers while not allowing sufficient quiet time to process all of that data. Dr. Laney’s book is a quick guide for helping introverts first realize they are normal, and second develop strategies for being happy in the modern world.
Posted by Steven at April 4, 2005 02:53 PM
