Introverts Vs. Extroverts: The Misconception of Success and Power

Introduction

Personalities vary. According to psychologists and many other social experts, there are two main social behaviors that a person acquires as they mature in adulthood: introversion and extroversion. An introvert is someone who prefers a calm, minimally stimulating environment, and they can tend to feel drained after socializing but regain their energy by spending time alone. An extrovert is an outgoing and outspoken person who feels energized when socializing with others. In the book “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”, the author, Susan Cain, argues that society undervalues introverts and shows how much of a drawback it is in doing so. “These students inhabit a world in which status, income, and self-esteem depend more than ever on the ability to meet the demands of the Culture of Personality” (Cain 31). She maps the increase of extroverts throughout the twentieth century and investigates how deeply it has infiltrated our culture. However, introverts possess Quiet Strength and are easily overlooked and underestimated. “But what if you admire the hyperthymic among us, but also like your calm and thoughtful self” (Cain 39). A closer inspection of introvert success in the workplace contradicts former societal notions and reveals that there are specific physical, mental, and emotional strategies that leaders and employers can utilize to ensure the best results in the field of computer science. For this essay about introverts vs extroverts, it is important to understand the different social behaviors and how they impact individuals in various aspects of their lives, as highlighted by Susan Cain in her book 'Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking'.

Introverts vs. Extroverts

One starts to progress in a field in collegiate education. One must consider choices that will influence success and maximize creativity. In order to implement those things, I have chosen to pursue a career in the field of computer science. According to the University of Maryland Department of Computer Science.

Computer Science is the study of computers and computational systems. Unlike electrical and computer engineers, computer scientists deal mostly with software and software systems; this includes their theory, design, development, and application. Principal areas of study within Computer Science include artificial intelligence, computer systems and networks, security, database systems, human-computer interaction, vision and graphics, numerical analysis, programming languages, software engineering, bioinformatics and theory of computing. Although knowing how to program is essential to the study of computer science, it is only one element of the field. Computer scientists design and analyze algorithms to solve programs and study the performance of computer hardware and software. The problems that computer scientists encounter range from the abstract, determining what problems can be solved with computers and the complexity of the algorithms that solve them, to the tangible, designing applications that perform well on handheld devices, that are easy to use, and that uphold security measures.

Being an introvert, I believe this will be a great fit for me. The field of computer science is an independent path and is very suitable to my personality.

College is challenging at times for all students, but for introverts, it can be extremely difficult. While more outgoing students can easily make friends and navigate their way through social events, introverts may often feel uncomfortable and left out. But it doesn't have to be like that. There are multiple ways to help introverts stay comfortable and enjoy the college experience. In some cases, introverts may have a hard time saying no to other people, but it’s important for them to express what their boundaries are. You should set clear boundaries with your friends when you need time alone to recharge. This can be hard to do, but otherwise you’re most likely going to end up feeling tired and drained. Online classes may help introverts stay stable. The availability of online classes makes it easier for students to complete their degrees while staying within their comfort zone. Even those who do not enroll in an online program can take some online classes, which can help introverts get some rest from dealing with the in-person classroom experience. Introverts shouldn’t worry about missing out on things. You may feel pressure to be out with friends, but you should respect your need for alone time Fear of missing out can be especially tough for introverts because they need to miss out in order to function well, and they often do their best when alone. Time management is an extremely important factor for success in college. Since introverts regularly need to recharge their batteries, it’s a good idea for them to always plan to have downtime ahead of time. Given the social and experiential nature of the college environment, effective time management and proactive planning will help introverts balance the need to focus attention inward and re-energize as needed. An introverted student needs to make time for personal care and reflection, so he or she can take care of individual needs and be energized for future activities. Introverts need to seek out some activities that attract extroverts. Introverts need quiet time, but they also need to be around extroverts in order to have a healthy social life. This may sound illogical but making sure that you are around people with extroverted energy in short bursts will be helpful to you. According to Cain,“ The book of Exodus is short on explication, but its stories suggest that introversion plays yin to the yang of extroversion; that the medium is not always the message; and that people followed Moses because his words were thoughtful, not because he spoke them well” (Cain 61). If you only surround yourself with people like you, you may limit your social network. Make it a point to find those activities that you can at least tolerate in certain time frames. If you are a strong introvert, you will add unique value to that group. Just as it’s helpful for introverts to befriend extroverted people, they should also be sure to connect with introverted peers. Since many extroverts don’t understand the temperament of introverts, it’s important for them to seek out people who appreciate their quiet disposition. Meeting new people can be challenging for introverts, but they can begin by building connections with people they’re already somewhat familiar with as well. Whether it’s someone that sits near them in class or a friend of their roommate, striking up friendships with people they already feel comfortable around can help them build their social circle. Introverts may feel like there is something wrong with them because many people around them are more outgoing. However, introversion can be an asset. Introverts need to embrace their personalities. Being introverted can be a real strength, especially when it comes to wanting to be at home alone to better focus on your work, where your extroverted counterparts may prefer working and socializing in groups; you might even get a lot more done in a shorter period by working alone.

When it comes to personality types in the workplace, the model employee has always been the extrovert – the ambitious, competitive go-getter who speaks up, can self-promote and network easily, and who is the picture of workplace success. However, on the other end of the spectrum is the introvert. These quiet, shy individuals make up between one-third and one-half of the American population, yet they still tend to be the lowest on the totem pole. Although introverts are normally inferior in the workplace, in my specific field, they are superior and tend to be a better fit compared to extroverts. The computer programming environment is very fitting for introverts and allows them to thrive easily; honestly, I believe programming is the best job for introverts. You can learn from home, and at your own pace. There are tons of online resources available today, including Treehouse, Codecademy, and Pluralsight, to name just a few. All of them have hours of content about many different programming languages, from web development to app development. You can code from pretty much anywhere with a computer and an internet connection. If busy offices are too much for you, then maybe working from home or at the library will give you that much-needed quiet in order to focus. Many employers like you to work from the office but negotiating even a day working from home can help keep energy levels stable. Although you might have to end up working on a team, for the most part, you work on large chunks of projects independently, so you’ll have extended periods of time where it’s all just you. You may think that computer programming is all about typing, but the truth is, 90 percent of it is in your head, doing problem-solving and creative thinking. There is nothing more satisfying than being given a problem to solve and being left in your own head to think it through and find a solution. And, as introverts, we are particularly good at thinking through all the different eventualities. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, personality types vary, and introversion and extroversion are two significant social behaviors that impact individuals in various aspects of their lives. Susan Cain's book 'Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking' argues that society undervalues introverts and that this is a drawback. However, introverts possess Quiet Strength, and it is crucial not to underestimate them. In the field of computer science, introversion can be an advantage, as it is an independent path that is well-suited to introverts. Although college can be challenging for introverts, there are ways to help them stay comfortable and enjoy the experience. These include setting clear boundaries with friends, taking online classes, and managing time effectively. Seeking out activities that attract extroverts can also be helpful for introverts to expand their social network. In summary, understanding the different social behaviors and the impact they have on individuals can lead to better acceptance and appreciation of diverse personalities.