What Is an Introvert?

Actually, the 2nd of January, as well as Introvert Day, although not a national holiday. After an article written by psychologist Felicitas Heyne in 2011, people worldwide have started to adopt the date with the hopes of heightening awareness of introversion in an extrovert-centered society. So, it's not surprising that it occurs directly after the holiday period - Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's - an introvert's worst nightmare when it comes to parties or relatives asking too many questions. A national introversion day to recharge introverted souls.

In the spirit of the day, here are 10 psychological studies that deepen our understanding and appreciation of introverts:

1. Introverts process more information than extroverts. A psychologist named Hans Eysenck developed a theory suggesting that introverts' brain activity is faster and has a higher amount than extroverts. So, placing them in stimulation high environments like concerts, they will quickly become overloaded and shut down.
2. There are four kinds of introversion. A study of 500 people discovered four kinds of introversion: social (a preference for socializing in small groups), thinking (thoughtful and self-reflective), anxious (seek out solitude due to feeling awkward and self-conscious around other people), and restrained and reserved (prefer to think before they act). While all unique, most introverts are a mixture of all four.
3. Introverts talk more concretely. In 2012, participants were asked to describe the same five photos of ambiguous situations. Those with a higher rating on the introversion scale tended to mention more concrete words such as numbers and specific people and make more distinctions such as "but" and "accept".
4. Introverts are less happy than extroverts. A common fact about introverts: happiness is found higher in extroverts, not only in Western countries but also in more community-based cultures, both equally in Eastern and Western parts of the world.
5. Introverts perceive human faces with the same values. Looking at flowers in 2010, 28 introverted adults had their brain activity monitored to test their levels of p300. Participants displayed the same level of p300 when looking at human faces as they did when looking at flowers, signaling that they valued both equally.
6. Introverts have vivid imaginations. They also have a strong ability to problem-solve. The downside is that they may get stuck inside their heads, overanalyzing and replaying events.
7. Introverted minds don't reward risk-taking. In studying the minds of both introverts and extroverts while gambling, the results determined that introverts produce less dopamine, a brain chemical used to process rewards and positive emotions. This means that they don't consider risk-like activities such as gambling rewarding.
8. Introverts live in secluded environments. In a series of three studies, results showed that while extroverts live in open and flat regions, introverts lean towards living in more secluded environments such as mountainous regions.
9. Introverts have a better ability to comprehend abstract thought. A Harvard University associate conducted a study that found that introverts have a larger and thicker gray matter in their prefrontal cortex, which is linked to abstract thought and decision-making, indicating that they may have a better ability for both skills.
10. Introverts are more likable. While not very social, introverts are commonly the observers in a group, leading to them having a better understanding of people and, in turn, becoming very likable.

2018 @Psych2go, "What Is an Introvert?" @ YouTube-Psych2Go, CC BY 3.0.