Introvert or Extrovert?

[FarmerJamie]

Cool topic (let me kill the thread. )

From my experience in mgmt, we were always taught it's not "I'm an extrovert/introvert...", but more of "I tend to react as an introvert/extrovert". It's about preferences in behavior, not a state of being. Everyone can act as either, based on the situation. Society likes to "label" us because its easy to process.

@deb's example, I'm like that. I can engage in conversation easily with strangers or a crowd, but because my preference is towards being an introvert, I mentally/emotionally get "tired" after a period time because I need to "up" my energy level to engage others.

@wannabefree - some folks have a naturally higher default social energy level and that leads to a different......LOOK OVER THERE, SQUIRREL!!!!...... Seriously, though if someone isn't acting at that natural level of emotional energy for them, they seek out activity to get their energy level up.

What I'm trying to say, just being able to strike up a conversation with a stranger doesn't make you an extrovert - it's really about what level of social interaction level you have as a norm and how you act to adjust to that "preferred" level in a prolonged situation.

Sorry for the ramble.

 

[savingdogs]

FJ, are you familiar with the Myers Briggs personality evaluation? It gives a little fuller picture and I've seen it be fairly accurate.

 

[FarmerJamie]

FJ, are you familiar with the Myers Briggs personality evaluation? It gives a little fuller picture and I've seen it be fairly accurate.

That's actually what I was referencing, I am a fan.

There are several on-line free tests you can take - a number of years ago during a time of great stress in the marriage, I convinced DW to take one. I showed her my scores and walked her through a "cross-type" discussion book I had from work that correctly identified where some of our "expectation"-related issues stemmed from. Her therapist was NOT pleased with me.

 

[savingdogs]

Why would the therapist not be pleased? that you figured it out on your own?
I've taken that test several different ways but always come out ESFJ. That is why going deaf is hard for me. I'm not suited.

 

[JRmom]

FJ, are you familiar with the Myers Briggs personality evaluation? It gives a little fuller picture and I've seen it be fairly accurate.

I've actually had to take this test for work - and found it not to be accurate. Of course, what I think I'm like personality-wise and what I'm actually like are probably two different things!

 

[FarmerJamie]

Why would the therapist not be pleased? that you figured it out on your own?
I've taken that test several different ways but always come out ESFJ. That is why going deaf is hard for me. I'm not suited.

Yeah, that's pretty much it. Well, that and my asking how she could determine a solution to a problem when she never got my side of the situation....

to ya!

 

[Wannabefree]

@wannabefree - some folks have a naturally higher default social energy level and that leads to a different......LOOK OVER THERE, SQUIRREL!!!!...... Seriously, though if someone isn't acting at that natural level of emotional energy for them, they seek out activity to get their energy level up.

What I'm trying to say, just being able to strike up a conversation with a stranger doesn't make you an extrovert - it's really about what level of social interaction level you have as a norm and how you act to adjust to that "preferred" level in a prolonged situation.

Sorry for the ramble.

Oh, I go bug the neighbors if I can't get out much. I PREFER a LOAD of social activity. DH sadly, does not so I leave him home He knows if he keeps me cooped up too long I might 'splode.

 

[FarmerJamie]

FJ, are you familiar with the Myers Briggs personality evaluation? It gives a little fuller picture and I've seen it be fairly accurate.

I've actually had to take this test for work - and found it not to be accurate. Of course, what I think I'm like personality-wise and what I'm actually like are probably two different things!

I fought it at first too. I can't really take any more instances of the test, because I think I can manipulate the answers to get a result close to what I want to create.

Heavens help anyone who takes this as part of a group assessment that the post-test debrief is poorly facilitated. I was an outlier on one of the dimensions and the facilitator told me I had to conform more with the good norm. It was along the lines of "team harmony is more important than team performance". My response was "great, at least we'll have a good time in the unemployment line together when we get fired for not getting our jobs done". That was only a half-hour "mentoring" session with my boss.

 

[Wannabefree]

Why would the therapist not be pleased? that you figured it out on your own?
I've taken that test several different ways but always come out ESFJ. That is why going deaf is hard for me. I'm not suited.

Yeah, that's pretty much it. Well, that and my asking how she could determine a solution to a problem when she never got my side of the situation....

to ya!

Hey you, yeah YOU! Quit being mean! Don't you know that woman has a yacht to pay for?!?! Let her do her job that you could do better in a fourth of the time with less "education" on the topic and pay your bill and be miserable like a good patient mister!

Yeah, bet she was mad.

 

[FarmerJamie]

@wannabefree - some folks have a naturally higher default social energy level and that leads to a different......LOOK OVER THERE, SQUIRREL!!!!...... Seriously, though if someone isn't acting at that natural level of emotional energy for them, they seek out activity to get their energy level up.

What I'm trying to say, just being able to strike up a conversation with a stranger doesn't make you an extrovert - it's really about what level of social interaction level you have as a norm and how you act to adjust to that "preferred" level in a prolonged situation.

Sorry for the ramble.

Oh, I go bug the neighbors if I can't get out much. I PREFER a LOAD of social activity. DH sadly, does not so I leave him home He knows if he keeps me cooped up too long I might 'splode.

Like B-brooks, I AM SHOCKED at this revelation, my dear!!!!