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This is a viewpoint on introverts, extroverts and shyness from an author interviewed by a respected publication:
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN
The Power of Introverts: A Manifesto for Quiet Brilliance
By Gareth Cook ; Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Susan Cain – author of “Quiet: The Power of Introverts”
We live in a nation that values its extroverts – the outgoing, the lovers of crowds – but not the quiet types who change the world. Susan Cain recently answered questions from Mind Matters editor Gareth Cook.
Cook: This may be a stupid question, but how do you define an introvert? How can somebody tell whether they are truly introverted or extroverted?
Cain: Not a stupid question at all! Introverts prefer quiet, minimally stimulating environments, while extroverts need higher levels of stimulation to feel their best. Stimulation comes in all forms – social stimulation, but also lights, noise, and so on. Introverts even salivate more than extroverts do if you place a drop of lemon juice on their tongues! So an introvert is more likely to enjoy a quiet glass of wine with a close friend than a loud, raucous party full of strangers.
It’s also important to understand that introversion is different from shyness. Shyness is the fear of negative judgment, while introversion is simply the preference for less stimulation. Shyness is inherently uncomfortable; introversion is not. The traits do overlap, though psychologists debate to what degree.
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