Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Quietly Wavering Extrovert
When I first started this blog entry I had in my mind that I was both an introvert and extrovert, but as I began writing, I tried to explain my introvert side and encountered difficulty. Though I definitely do possess some of the introvert qualities that are described in Quiet, it is unmistakable that I am extroverted. I am a very social person, I like going out, doing new things, and making new friends. I enjoy hosting parties and events. In high school I was the main speaker at the pep rallies, I was also the head cheerleader, and active in many other social activities. One reason I contemplated with the thought that I could be an introvert are because I am a very sensitive person, I take pretty much everything to heart, and am constantly thinking thoughts inside my head (but I believe that could be attributed to the fact that I am female). Another reason is because when it comes to my learning experiences in school I would much rather work alone than in a group, but I believe that could be because I am a perfectionist and if I'm being honest, I do not like to put my education, grade, and future into someone else's hands. I concluded that I am an extrovert because, when I do have to work in a group, I insist on being the leader and the person who puts everything together into a final product. Though I do like alone time when I need to get work done, overall I am an active, social, and talkative person. I question if maybe my wavering on whether I was an introvert or not derived from the impressions I received from Quiet. In the book, the author often made me feel as if extroverts were not intelligent, but merely obnoxious. That they were unable to think pensively and had no imagination. I'm not exactly sure if this was her intention or not, but I am very smart, thoughtful, kind, and creative, but that does not mean that I am an introvert.
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Hello Emily!
ReplyDeleteI definitely see your point of view on the author presenting extroverts as not intelligent. I can pick up that presence, but I believe it is intended more as a revelation to fallacies that are commonly believed. As suggested in the reading, impulsive answers and conversation are seen as intelligent. The kid pondering a situation is commonly viewed as slow, but the reality is that the kid may be thinking of a better quality and in-depth answer compared to the person blurting out a response. When reading this book, I think of the presentation of introverts and extroverts as extremes. There are pros and cons to an extrovert and an introvert. Impulsiveness is common in extroverts, but it doesn't mean that every extrovert is like that. As the author has pointed out, we are vastly different people than our prescribed roles and titles. For example, I am an introvert, but I also love to be a leader of a group. It's an odd three dimensional scale, and this is just one piece of our personality puzzle.
Great points Emily, I also got the idea from "Quiet" that extroverts were being targeted as belligerent lesser intellectuals that lacked originality. However, you stated that the perfectionist side of you drives you to like working alone in most cases. I feel like this trait could actually be attributed to the introverted way of thinking as I discussed in my blog. You and I both seem to like things done a different way than others who conform to certain extroverted ideals. But have you considered that maybe you really are introverted, but you also have an extroverted facade covering the real you? I just feel like an introvert can become adept at keeping up appearances with extrovert characteristics but still maintain the core of their introverted way of thinking, which is the vibe I got from your blog. I'm sure you know you better than I do but it's just something to think about. Overall though I really liked your blog.
ReplyDeleteEmily, you had amazing points and you are a true extrovert. I love the fact that you pointed out that you are constantly thinking thoughts inside your head, but that can be because you are a female. Everything I do I blame it on my genetics, zodiac sign, or gender. I am an introvert and I thought that is because I am an Aquarius female this whole time, but now after reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts I realized that is only half the reason why I am the way I am. It is such a good thing that you are so active and out going like that. Even though you think the book is putting extroverts down, I hope you do not change! What do you do when you work in a small group and there is another extrovert in your group? Do you still try to be the leader?
ReplyDeletehi Emily,
ReplyDeleteI believe that you truly possess an extrovert personality. Every point of yours describe you as an extrovert person. Wow you were very involve in high school. Are you actively involved college as well? One key point I took from your post was the author impression of extrovert. I also pointed this out in my post as well. You are right, the author make it seems as though people with extrovert personalities are not as smart as those of introvert personalities. I honestly do not agree with the author point of view. I believe that if you a bold enough to put yourself out there you are intelligent.
Reading the first couple paragraphs about hosting parties and being the spokesperson at pep rallies truly demonstrates your personality as an extrovert. Like the book said though just because you have characteristics of an extrovert does not necessarily mean you are a full on extrovert, and vice versa. They also explained how there are calm extroverts, anxious extroverts, calm introverts, and anxious introvert. You very well could be a calm extrovert because you said you are not obnoxious but do met some of the characteristics of an extrovert. Or you very well could be an extrovert in many areas of your life and have a couple introverts characteristics such as being smart while not being obnoxious.
ReplyDeleteEmily,
ReplyDeleteI like that you tried to see yourself as both an introvert and an extrovert. Reading your article brought to my attention that society tends to stereotype introverts and extroverts a little dramatically. Extroverts don't always have to be obnoxious, and I'm sure not all introverts are creative. Wouldn't it be nice if we could be known by our personalities rather than being labeled based on observations?