Do Introverts Face Discrimination?

[Charlotte Rowan]

We in the US live in a society dominated by extroverts. Introverts are a minorty (about 25% of the population) that is widely misunderstood by most of the other 75%. Introverts are frequently accused of being "aloof," "anti-social," "awkward," and sometimes even "slow" or "dull-witted" due to their need for alone time, preference for solitude or small gatherings over big parties, and desire for time to reflect and gather their thoughts before speaking.

Furthermore, reading through employment ads, it's pretty common to see phrases like, "Seeking outgoing, energetic individual...", "team player" and "must enjoy working with people." It's not as common, but not unheard of, to see, blatantly, "Introverts are not a good fit for this position."

Do you think our society discriminates against introverts?

(See also: an insightful and funny-but-serious article about relating to intoverts, "Caring For Your Introvert": http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2003/03/caring-for-your-introvert/2696/

[Becky10]

Iam very introverted around people till i really get to know them and I understand why people, and buisnesses seak extroverts for some positions. If someone isnt good for a position, they arent good for it. I could never be a bar tender or a hostess I just dont have what it takes to just randomly chat to perfect strangers as if they were a close friends, knowing this and knowing myself I wouldnt apply for a job where being introverted would make it difficult. I think most introverted people are aware of this and avoid such jobs, to me a statement like "Introverts are not a good fit for this position." is similar to "must be willing to work nights".

[Grov]

I just recently redid my Myers-Briggs/Jung personality test and scored even more introverted than I had in the past. 78 point introvert in fact.  Most people who know me find this to be almost unbelievable.  Years ago when I first did a test of this fashion, it gave me a better understanding of myself.  With that knowledge, I decided to focus on my "weaknesses".  I still need to get away and recharge occasionally but I am completely able to function around people and in groups.  I am able to do this because I faced my lack again and again.  I am a big fan of personal responsibility so I took on the task of being able to mimic extroverts.  This has made me much more personable in nearly every aspect.  In short, we are masters of ourselves.  Once you know something, you have power over it if you chose.  Any discrimination we suffer from is due to ourselves.  Sometimes you just have to hang it out there and fake it til you make it.  Risk a bit and you'll find that the rewards can be quite fruitful.

[Noble Dreg]

I am not a psychologist...but I am interested in the subject and read a great deal.  The Myers-Briggs/Jung test defines Intro/Extro not as an outward personality trait but as how an individual "re-charges".  Do you gain energy from crowds and parties or from solitude and reflection?  You can be a social "extrovert" and still be an MBJ "introvert" (which pretty much describes me too!).  

I believe the original post is discussing "social" introvert/extrovert.

I'm in engineering, the last bastion of introverts everywhere!  I would not call it discrimination but much like the "waitress" analogy, social introverts make lousy public facing employees but I know they are preferred by personnel departments for accounting and finance for example.

Being socially "introverted" is no more a personality defect than being "extroverted".  True, some need to come out of their shell to see the real world and get a life where as some extroverts need to put a sock in it! But difference is what makes the social soup taste so good.

I can think of plenty of successful introverts, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, I'm sure there are other non-geeky one's too!  

[Francisco Paula]

I would say i tend to be an introvert and i am in customer service. The thing with me is once i am comfortable in my surrondings i have no problem interacting with people but i do enjoy my alone time alot.

When i first started faire people thought it was strange i would just wander and watch and pretty much stay in my own little bubble but as i got use to the people and the enviroment my bubble grew.

[Tink]

I would say i tend to be an introvert and i am in customer service. The thing with me is once i am comfortable in my surrondings i have no problem interacting with people but i do enjoy my alone time alot.

When i first started faire people thought it was strange i would just wander and watch and pretty much stay in my own little bubble but as i got use to the people and the enviroment my bubble grew.

I'm pretty similar.  I have no problem getting up infront of my students, but when I'm around people I don't know, it takes me a while to come out of my shell.

I have noticed that I'm more outgoing as a persona than as myself, and more outgoing online than in person.

[Merlin the Elder]

...I have noticed that I'm more outgoing as a persona than as myself, and more outgoing online than in person...

Funny how that seems to work. I'm totally a social inept person. I like the safety of those I know, even if it is only slight. I am trying to force myself to be more outgoing. It seems to help some to be Merlin rather than my real self. I do plan to work on improv skills in order to be able to hold my own when I run into a cast member who tries to engage me, or even a muggle who assumes me to be a cast member. (I'd love to be in the cast but live too far away!)

Anyone with knowledge of sources for working on improv skills, I'd love to hear from you!

[Julianne]

As long as any exclusionary thing decides what you are...then you will be.
Introvertism/Extrovertism is really a psycobabble term and should not be used in modern society.

[Merlin the Elder]

So...I'm ok, you're ok?  That gives me some hope for a normal (?!?) life, whatever there is left of it.

[Tink]

what's this "normal" you speak of?

[Charlotte Rowan]

As long as any exclusionary thing decides what you are...then you will be.
Introvertism/Extrovertism is really a psycobabble term and should not be used in modern society.

It feels relevent to me.

The thing I have a problem with is people saying over and over again, "Well, you can overcome your introversion if you want to." Why on earth would I want to do that? I don't want to overcome any other aspects of my personality!

I don't know if I necessarily think introverts are discriminated against, but I certainly feel we are misunderstood and that we can have a tough time in life simply because there are more extroverts out there  (at least in the US) and thus society is geared more towards them.

[Poldugarian Warrior]

Yes, and I'm tired of it because if the world didn't have us, keeping to ourselves and thinking through situations before acting, then we'd be in a lot more trouble than we already are. So introverts unite. There's nothing wrong with it.

[Merlin the Elder]

what's this "normal" you speak of?

"Normal," friend Tink, is a state of mind, and one of several states I've never had the pleasure to visit.

[Kate]

I think there are certain jobs that require someone to be an extrovert.  If you are an introvert why would you WANT to get into an "extroverted" job where you are required to put on a happy "people-person" face and be outgoing?  I think that would make someone, not an extrovert, but shy or not a people-person.

As a teacher I HAVE to be an extrovert.  Even if I'm not feeling it one day I MUST be outgoing if I want to get my kids hooked on whatever it is I am saying.  Having been in sales and marketing as well, being an introvert never would have worked.

Maybe it isn't abou "getting over" your introversion, but instead finding a job that works with your personality.

Best of luck to you!

[Grov]

@Merlin  Everyone is crazy in their own way.  If you step out with confidence, however you do it, people will be less likely to categorize you as odd.  I think "normal" is controlling your crazy enough to allow others to enjoy their crazy.