Social Introverts and Extroverts

November 21, 2014

Enter Week 6, Stage 2 of the Analysis Between Social Introverts and Extroverts

In my previous post, I promised to begin research to answer the question regarding whether the behavioral differences between social introverts and extroverts are due to genetics (nature) or environment (nurture).  Apparently, however, behavior is due to a combination of both genetics and environment.  Thus, these differences must also be due to both nature and nurture.  "When a species' environment varies little from generation to generation, or in communication when" the messages are very clear-cut,  genetic information is the best determinant for behavior (Breed and Sanchez).  However, in order for behavioral development to occur, individuals must be able "to learn a specific piece of information at the right stage of development."  Such ability, known as imprinting, is affected by environment, as different external factors play into the information that the individual receives.  Based on the social environment and physical world around them, individuals must learn to conform to different roles and niches, although their decisions to adopt such roles may be indicative of their genetic predispositions.  However, these predispositions through genetics do not definitively associate individuals with certain behaviors, for if they did, "a person might be uncontrollably locked into bad parenting, violent behavior, or drug addiction."  Rather, differing influences from society, culture, and politics may urge individuals to adopt different behaviors.  In theory, "genes and environment act to complement each other in yielding behavioral solutions to" challenges posed by society and/or for survival.  Individuals may have innate/instinctive behavioral responses embedded within their genetic code, although they must also learn from their ever-changing environment, thereby shaping their behaviors (Breed and Sanchez).  Thus, in reality, both genetics and environment help to control behavior, which explains, to some extent, the behavioral differences between introverts and extroverts.  Although my next post will go into detail on this application, introverts and extroverts are likely predisposed genetically to act socially withdrawn or socially involved, but their behaviors may be shaped by the environment and situations that they are raised in and habituate.  The effects of genetics and/or environment in behavior can also be observed in animals, as noted through the illustrations below.

"Information about where to forage, what prey to select, and how to handle the prey after striking is likely innate [given with the genetic code] in species like this [the rattlesnake above]" (Breed and Sanchez).

"Imprinting by the parents on their goslings help to keep the family together [and shape their behaviors through environmental influence]" (Breed and Sanchez).

Additionally, at the bottom of this post is the draft for the first survey in this project.  This draft still requires some editing, but I intend to begin distributing it to as many people as possible (PT students, neighbors, etc.) before I make the next post in two weeks.  Specifically, this survey covers the general feelings of individuals concerning the behavioral differences between and social roles of introverts and extroverts.

To whom it may concern:

            For my AP English Literature and Composition class this year, my fellow classmates and I are engaging ourselves in “twenty-percent projects,” individual research projects that are meant to fill twenty-percent of the time, work, and effort spent in the class.  My twenty-percent project is centered on the behavioral differences between social introverts and extroverts, although it also focuses on society’s views regarding the two groups.  In order to gauge society’s perceptions regarding social introverts and extroverts, as well as to view the typical responses of these so-called introverts/extroverts in different situations, I require the participation of other individuals in my studies.  Please fill out the initial survey below, answering honestly, confronted with a promise of complete privacy and anonymity.  Choose the one option per prompt that best fits your opinion, designating your selection with either a circle of the choice or a check in the same box as the choice.  More surveys will likely follow in the future that cover more specific areas regarding the behavioral differences of these two groups and their roles in society.  Participants’ answers in this survey may later be quantified by the researcher for statistical analysis in addition to the qualitative analysis (hypothetical example: INTROVERT = 1, EXTROVERT = 2, AMBIVERT = 3).  Your support and cooperation are greatly appreciated.  (Note: An ambivert is an individual who may be regarded as a balance or mix between an introvert and an extrovert.  They may possess some qualities of an introvert and others of an extrovert, or their situational responses and the qualities that they express may vary.  Although they will not be a group that will be of central focus in this project, their presence should still be recognized, as many individuals fit into this category.)

Thank you in advance,

            Josh Peles

Which would you identify yourself as?		INTROVERT			AMBIVERT				EXTROVERT
When you are at a party, you…	SIT IN THE CORNER AND ATTEMPT TO AVOID HUMAN CONTACT (WHY WERE YOU INVITED TO THE PARTY?)			RESPECTFULLY SOCIALIZE WITH ONLY A FEW FRIENDS AND CLOSE ACQUAINTANCES		SOCIALIZE WITH MOST FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES ALONG WITH SOME STRANGERS	SOCIALIZE WITH STRANGERS, ALTHOUGH FRIENDS ARE PREFERRED			SEEK OUT NEW PEOPLE TO TALK TO (EVEN THOUGH YOU WEREN’T INVITED TO  THE PARTY)
When you are alone, you…	SAVOR THE PERSONAL TIME AND WISH THAT LIFE CONSISTED OF TOTAL ISOLATION			PREFER THE SITUATION OVER BEING WITH OTHERS, BUT STILL RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF SOCIETY IN LIFE		FEEL SOMEWHAT LONELY, ALTHOUGH YOU ENJOY THE PERSONAL TIME TO THINK	WOULD MUCH RATHER BE WITH OTHERS, BUT STILL ACCEPT THE SITUATION			CONSTANTLY CRAVE THE COMPANY AND ATTENTION OF OTHERS
Society in general seems to accept introverts.	STRONGLY DISAGREE			DISAGREE TO SOME EXTENT		SITUATIONAL RESPONSE	AGREE TO SOME EXTENT			STRONGLY AGREE
Society in general should accept introverts.	STRONGLY DISAGREE			DISAGREE TO SOME EXTENT		SITUATIONAL RESPONSE	AGREE TO SOME EXTENT			STRONGLY AGREE
Society in general seems to accept extroverts.	STRONGLY DISAGREE			DISAGREE TO SOME EXTENT		SITUATIONAL RESPONSE	AGREE TO SOME EXTENT			STRONGLY AGREE
Society in general should accept extroverts.	STRONGLY DISAGREE			DISAGREE TO SOME EXTENT		SITUATIONAL RESPONSE	AGREE TO SOME EXTENT			STRONGLY AGREE
It is healthy to be an introvert.	STRONGLY DISAGREE			DISAGREE TO SOME EXTENT		SITUATIONAL RESPONSE	AGREE TO SOME EXTENT			STRONGLY AGREE
It is healthy to be an extrovert.	STRONGLY DISAGREE			DISAGREE TO SOME EXTENT		SITUATIONAL RESPONSE	AGREE TO SOME EXTENT			STRONGLY AGREE
It is healthier to be an ambivert than a pure introvert or extrovert.	STRONGLY DISAGREE			DISAGREE TO SOME EXTENT		SITUATIONAL RESPONSE	AGREE TO SOME EXTENT			STRONGLY AGREE
Behavioral differences are driven by…			GENETICS (NATURE)			BOTH		ENVIRONMENT (NURTURE)

This concludes the update at this point in my research.  Until I talk with you again, learn how to talk at parties (for all of you current introverts) and to appreciate personal time by yourself (for all of you current extroverts).





Works Cited
Breed, Michael D. and  Leticia Sanchez.  "Both Environment and Genetic Makeup Influence Behavior."  Scitable.  Nature Education, 2010.  Web.  20 Nov. 2014.  <http://www.nature.com/>.

November 7, 2014

Rethinking the Qualifications for Introverts and Extroverts

Currently, I am in stage one of my research for this project, which is the research through literature stage.  While in this stage, I have made several discoveries about the behavioral differences between social introverts and extroverts, including the fact that current social perceptions of these two types of people may be based on archaic definitions.  Most Americans define introverts and extroverts using a Jungian-type inventory (named after Freudian contemporary Carl Jung), meaning that they associate extroverts with being loud while associating introverts with being shy.  However, this type of identification method appears outdated, as most psychologists now define these two types of people depending on where they get their energy and motivation from, the options being themselves or other people.  Whereas most extroverts may generally be loud and most introverts may generally be shy, these qualities should serve moreso as associations with the personality than as the definitive guidelines for identification.  In general, extroverts require more external stimulation than introverts.  Extroverts need motivation from other people and often express their emotions while seeking stimulation; introverts, on the other hand, can be easily over-stimulated and may focus internally as they struggle with sensory overload if they focus too much on external stimuli.  Introverts feel the need to bottle up their motions so as to keep everything in order, focusing moreso on concepts and ideas than on people and things, which are the focus of extroverts.  While extroverts are usually relaxed and confident, actively looking to change the world and preferring commotion over peace, introverts are usually timid and reserved, simply looking to understand the world and preferring quiet so as to focus their energies.  Extroverts are more accessible for social interactions than introverts, but introverts, while sometimes taking interests in a smaller number of subjects when compared to extroverts, often have both the patience and the focus to think and work more deeply.  Although neither extroverts nor introverts possess extremely negative qualities, they can often misinterpret the others' actions in a negative manner.  Introverts, who prefer to stay reserved, may see extroverts as being shallow and pushy as they attempt to express themselves, while extroverts, who seek action and interaction, may view introverts as shallow and egocentric as they plan the best course of action, often requiring peace and quiet as they focus internally on the subject.
What drives these differences between introverts and extroverts?  What factors cause these two groups of people to respond differently to the same situation?  To begin with, as mentioned in previous posts, there are few pure introverts and/or pure extroverts.  Depending on the situation, an individual may act like an introvert or extrovert at different times.  However, most individuals do lean toward one end of the spectrum for the majority of situations.  Many researchers present evidence that imply that these behavioral differences may be due to genetics, or rather, the way that the brain functions.  As previously mentioned, some of these differences are due to disparities in the absolute thresholds for individuals, meaning that differing amounts/levels of stimuli are required to arouse individuals, and by effect, that differing amounts/levels of stimuli may eventually overwhelm them as well.  In addition, research has shown that introverts and extroverts use different areas of their brain when responding to situations.  In a 2005 study, researchers concluded that extroverts may respond more strongly to social challenges, taking risks, and adventures because two regions of their brains, the amygdala and the nucleus accumbens, exhibit stronger responses than those of introverts.  This suggests that extroverts may process surprise and reward differently than introverts, leading them to be more susceptible to taking risks.  In a 2012 study conducted by Randy Buckner of Harvard, Buckner found that larger, thicker gray matter is present in the prefrontal cortex, a region linked to abstract thought and decision-making, of introverts as opposed to extroverts.  He suggested that this may account for the reason why introverts may wait and ponder a situation while extroverts often prefer to take action and live in the moment.  Surprisingly enough, traces of introversion and extroversion are present even in babies.  Supposedly forty percent of babies are "behaviorally uninhibited," or extroverted, meaning that they react calmly to stimulation, while fifteen to twenty percent of infants qualify as having "extreme shyness," or being introverted, meaning that they thrash about and cry in reaction to stimulation.  After extensive research, it appears that the levels of activity of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, as well as the levels of activity of the amygdala, strongly influence the reactions of and behavioral differences between social introverts and extroverts.
I plan to continue in stage one of my research for this project for at least a few more weeks, although I may also, at the same time, begin stage two of research, that being research through surveys, polls, and interviews.  One of the next subjects that I will be researching in stage one will be the effect of environment on individuals, determining whether they will be introverts or extroverts.  For additional information and material on the subjects discussed in this post, which I will continue to elaborate on in further posts, please refer to the following websites, which helped me in my own research:

"Extraversion vs. Introversion"
"Life's Extremes: Outgoing vs. Shy"
"The Brain Of An Introvert Compared To That Of An Extrovert: Are They Really Different?"


 Works Cited:
Bushack, Lecia.  "The Brain Of An Introvert Compared To That Of An Extrovert: Are They Really Different?"  Medical Daily.  IBT Media Inc., 21 Aug. 2014.  Web.  7 Nov. 2014.
"Extraversion vs. Introversion."  ChangingMinds.org.  Changing Minds, n.d.  Web.  7 Nov. 2014.
Hadhazy, Adam.  "Life's Extremes: Outgoing vs. Shy"  LiveScience.  Purch, 25 Sept. 2011.  Web.  7 Nov. 2014.







 October 24, 2014

Who/What are Social Introverts?  Who/What are Social Extroverts?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an introvert is defined as "a shy person; a quiet person who does not find it easy to talk to other people."  Conversely, an extrovert is defined as "a friendly person who likes being with and talking to other people; an outgoing person."  In reality, nobody is a pure introvert or a pure extrovert; belonging to one of these extremes inevitably could lead one down a path of headaches and self-destruction.  However, most functioning members of society tend toward one side of the spectrum or the other.  Whereas most individuals are introverts and/or extroverts at varying degrees (yes, one can be an introvert at one moment and an extrovert at the next), we still seem, somehow, to coexist in society.  As a self-described introvert, I am searching for the leading factors behind one's identification as either a social introvert or extrovert.  While some experts claim that such identification is a result of nature, or genetics, others dictates that it is a result of nurture, or environment.  I want to interpret for myself to see what the leading factors seem to be, and then I want to afterwards be able to investigate the thoughts and mental processes behind the behaviors of these two groups.  Why do introverts generally choose to keep to themselves?  Why do extroverts find the need to associate with the rest of society?  Moreover, I want to find out how the behaviors of members among these two groups vary depending on situation (group situation where friends are present, group situation where no friends are present, situation in which one is alone), and how society perceives the roles and importance of these two groups.  Personally, I currently feel that being a social introvert or extrovert may be a combination between nature versus nurture, that extroverts generally crave, if not, require more social attention than introverts, placing fewer restrictions on their behavior, that introverts may be found to exhibit similar qualities to extroverts when surrounded by friends, and that society generally favors social extroverts over introverts, even though one group is no more important than the other in value.  As I look deeper into these topics, I hope to be able to understand both social introverts and extroverts not only for the reasons behind their behaviors, but for the thoughts that run through their heads and their perceived roles in society.  I will continually update by blog as I receive the latest information and collect the most recent data from my research studies.  If you would like to learn more about the research methods that I plan to apply and the experts that I plan to consult, the other pages on this blog ("Research," "Mentors") will direct you to more in-depth explanations of my project.  I hope that my audience will learn alongside me and will appreciate the behavioral differences in introverts and extroverts as I take this journey into the world of social interactions, or the lack thereof.

Also, if you want to watch an excellent TED Talk detailing the strengths and powers of introverts, as well as the need in society for these individuals to receive recognition, please watch the twelfth video in the playlist on this website, shared with me by my English teacher (thank you, Ms. Hetrick!):
http://www.ted.com/playlists/171/the_most_popular_talks_of_all