The continuation of what introversion is and is not continues. This online article isn’t the first, Do Social Networking Sites Produce Introverts? but it’s one with assertions that just don’t substantiate being an introvert.
For clarification: If you are more introverted, you prefer time being alone because it is in your own company that you get your energy. If you are more extroverted, you prefer being around and with other people because it is with other people that you find you are energetically charged up.
That’s it. Nothing else. Certainly the way we recharge will influence the activities we have preference for, but even the term “social” in networking, is not all that attractive to an introvert if you understand the energy factor.
The truth is, research shows, that our brains actually process information differently to give us this preference. And the preference doesn’t mean that we can’t either learn, understand or practice some of the activities or actions that might be associated with the other preference.
Claim #1: More than 50% of people say they spend more time chatting online than they do actually speaking to friends and family. Introverts of course speak with friends and family! As an INTJ, my preference IS first speaking with people who I already am in deep relationship with before getting into conversation with new people. In the short time I’ve been actively participating in social networking, just about 6 months now, my conversations with my friends and family – on the telephone and in-person, have not diminished. Maybe I’m in the other 50% of the survey.
So: #1 – If you spend more time online with social networking, you are engaging in more conversations, that is, talking with more people – doesn’t sound like introverting to me. It would be exhausting for an introvert.
Claim #2: Since social networking websites, people makes less phone calls, send less texts and emails, watch less television and spend less time on computer games. Let’s say that there is some truth that people are now, because of social networking websites, watching less television. Can you claim that is a bad thing? Can you say that it is actually “making” introverts? The correlation between less time in front of the television and more time online with social networking websites would equate more to – more extoverts! One rally cry of a true introvert is “One is company and two is a crowd.” Many introverts don’t enjoy television because much of it has no depth. So this again, is one introvert, who already doesn’t engage in tube watching. If anything, social networking is engaging me in more conversations with other people. That’s – extroverting.
#2 – If you are spending more time attending to conversations online than with your telephone, your texting or in front of your television, then it seems the venue for your extroverting – in this case conversations with people – has simple changed.
Claim #3: “One in five people who use the sites are “constantly checking” for new messages and updates.” I’m still not getting how this would make for an introvert? Addiction maybe, but not related to introvert or extrovert.
#3 – If you are constantly checking for new messages and updates, maybe you need a lesson in time management. Or you need to examine your goals for online social networking. It’s a stretch to equate “constantly checking” with being an introvert. It means you have to either be in front of your computer or tied to your cell phone to get the messages that regularly.
What is an introvert? What is an extrovert?
If you are more introverted, you prefer time being alone because it is in your own company that you get your energy.
If you are more extroverted, you prefer being around and with other people because it is with other people that you find you are energetically charged up.
What do you think? Do the claims of this article, or others going around the internet, producing introverts?
From your treatment of the article, I don’t think the author understands what “introvert” truly means. It sound like they are equating an addictive personality that communicates less through other venues as an “introverted” personality.
It seems like more reactionary writing from people who don’t really understand the definitions.
Nicely put Judie. Thanks.
Judy makes a good point.
Basic tendencies remain even when introverts act more like extroverts it does not change them, they are simply taking advantage of some benefits the other style enjoys.
In the same manner, when extroverts consider before speaking, focus on individual work and get it done they don’t become introverts.
As an introvert, I do have fun verbally batting around extroverts. But, it is in fun.
You must be authentic, engaging, informative, interesting. If you aren’t, you will be abandoned for the next blip on the radar.” -Lisa Van Allen
The key for both introverts and extroverts is to be authentic, engaging, informative, interesting but understand that each will do it differently. We are unique. Introvert and Extrovert are only a small part of the mix. Each introvert will engage others differently. Listen to the small voice inside more that the debate outside.
Pat and I are both INTJ’s but there are still vast differences in choice and style.
Your example of how extroverts don’t become introverts because they focus on their work and get it done – love it and how it makes the case stronger! Thanks Jim.
I liked Jim example of an extrovert as well. Helps me understand that everyone is unique
As an extrovert I have learned much from Pat. I deal with introverts everyday in sales and to understand them better changes my approach and expectations.