Introversion is not all bad

A Review of 

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking 

by Susan Cain

Quiet is a compendium of extensive research carried out by psychologists, sociologists and neuroscientists about the causes and effects of two types of personality traits - extroversion and introversion. The author Susan Cain, who herself is an introvert, has exploited the research to bring the merits of being an introvert to the foreground. She is a proponent of the notion that every type of personality has some strengths and some weaknesses, as opposed to the "Extrovert Ideal" which is adopted by many nations, America being on top of the list. She maintains that it is scientifically wrong to expect every person to be overtly expressive and outgoing - the key features of extroversion, as experiments and studies carried out by neuroscientist have revealed that personality traits are, to a large extent, genetic in nature.

Our choice of friends, professions, hobbies, preferences for social activities and the manner in which we evolve as a member of a home, a company and the society depends on where we fall on the so called "introvert-extrovert spectrum." In most of the parts of modern world, extroversion is considered to be the preferable personality trait. A friendly, expressive and easygoing person is liked in general whereas a quiet and reserved person is thought to be either having bad time or suffering from depression. Introverts are largely misunderstood and underestimated. The modern man has evolved to get inclined to concur with the person who speaks the loudest and with utmost enthusiasm rather than the person who is actually voicing the right thing. In fact, the reason for introversion being perceived as the cause of retarded progress or even failure is that people hold on to the extrovert ideal. The most enthusiastic person seems to be doing most of the work. The most vocal person appears to be presenting the right solution. The person who smiles most widely is the best at heart. The most socially dynamic person is thought to be most productive because group activities are supposed to be more yielding than individual work. The introverts are often detained not because they lack the capabilities but because they do not fit well with the perception of success. They often try to mould their behavior against their nature for social acceptability but a constant battle with oneself resulting in emotional fatigue cannot be expected to result in any personal satisfaction whatsoever.

"The archetypal extrovert prefers action to contemplation, risk-taking to heed-taking, certainty to doubt. He favors quick decisions, even at the risk of being wrong. She works well in teams and socializes in groups. We like to think that we value individuality, but all too often we admire one type of individual—the kind who’s comfortable “putting himself out there.” Sure, we allow technologically gifted loners who launch companies in garages to have any personality they please, but they are the exceptions, not the rule, and our tolerance extends mainly to those who get fabulously wealthy or hold the promise of doing so.

Introversion---is now a second-class personality trait, somewhere between a disappointment and a pathology."

Cain starts by an introduction of the meaning of introversion and extroversion, explaining how to identify each of the traits. Then she goes on to tell about the commonly experienced ill-acceptance of introverts in a world that sees extroversion as the desired personality trait. In spite of the fact that at least one out of three people (in another study it is one out of two) are introverts, introversion is perceived as an abnormality of behavior. Although introverts are more often behind the great inventions, discoveries, creative writings and the success of many great companies, the extrovert-loving world rules them out as an exception- they are obviously good at what they are doing but they are not good at relationships. So a common person, who is not a high-achieving tycoon or a world famous author of a best-seller, has no business being an introvert - he or she should better change into an extrovert for good, because otherwise, he or she is a freaking destroyer of all the fun. Following this, she clarifies some of the common misconceptions about introversion. That it is only a personality trait and is not synonymous to being a hermit or misanthrope or shy. Then she presents a set of questions that the reader can use to evaluate where he or she falls on the extrovert-introvert spectrum. Also she makes it clear that being a 100% extrovert or a 100% introvert will surely render one a lunatic. Quiet is about those who are more introvert than extrovert.

There was a time, not so long ago in the past, when people looked for "character." They valued integrity, good deeds, honor, dutifulness and reputation. Slowly, the "culture of personality" took over the "culture of character." Now we are impressed by personalities. May be, we unconsciously think that we no longer have time to delve into actually knowing a person's character but if he or she looks good and friendly, he might as well be the same at heart. And if he or she does not look friendly and expressive, then he or she might have something to hide or something to be ashamed of. Even if either is not true, it is just too much work to try to get to know him or her. So now we look for things like charisma, magnetism, forcefulness and attractiveness.

"People who pass us on the street can’t know that we’re clever and charming unless we look it"

Cain gives a detailed account of how over many decades, this change happened. How industrial development changed social preferences and every person is now expected to be a "performer". Everyone is now expected to be able to "sell" himself. The culture of personality is actually a stage for performing or marketing. Everyone is expected to have the qualities of an excellent salesman. Yes, that is the irony. In the quest to become dynamic leaders and gregarious socialites, all people are actually trying to be are salesmen!

Cain has presented quite a lot of counter-intuitive revelations in the book. She reveals the results of some researches carries out by psychologists in which they studied the comparative productiveness of group thinking and individual work. Individual thinking produced better results, both qualitatively and quantitatively, as compared to group brainstorming. Psychologists explain that when people try to come up with ideas in a group brainstorming session, they are also facing the peer pressure. They have ideas thrown at from every side, which disturbs their thinking process. Also people are more self-conscious and apprehensive about presenting their ideas, fearing that their idea might be rejected or looked down upon. This fear of rejection or peer pressure impairs productivity. But with the prevalence of the Extrovert Ideal and the Culture of Personality, the trend of brainstorming in groups also emerged as the preferable method of planning and problem solving. Many large companies like Google and Microsoft constructed  "Open-Plan" buildings for their offices, so that their employees could be together all the time and work together in groups. But a psychological research reveals that open-plan offices reduce productivity and impair memory. Working in such environments makes people sick, unmotivated, hostile, insecure and unnecessarily pressurized.

"Open-plan workers are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and elevated stress levels and to get the flu; they argue more with their colleagues; they worry about coworkers eavesdropping on their phone calls and spying on their computer screens. They have fewer personal and confidential conversations with colleagues. They’re often subject to loud and uncontrollable noise, which raises heart rates; releases cortisol, the body’s fight-or-flight “stress” hormone; and makes people socially distant, quick to anger, aggressive, and slow to help others."

Cain also narrates the results of many neuroscience researches, disclosing the fact that personality trait are literally embedded in our DNA. Neuroscientists studied the brain activities of a number of a few month year old babies and found that they all respond differently to novelty. Some were "under-stimulated" as they accepted the new sights and sounds easily and remained calm. Others were "over-stimulated" suggesting that they were not as adept at accepting novelty. After many years, when the babies had grown into adults, they were again examined and it was revealed that those who were over-stimulated as babies are more often introverts while others are extroverts. This suggest that the reaction of certain parts of the brain to same experience is different for introverts and extroverts. More importantly, it does not completely depend upon one's environment (environment does affect personality but only partially), rather it is a part of one's DNA and personality traits are something one is born with.

The book tells about the introverted personalities of some of the great business tycoons, scientists and writers.  Interestingly, many of the most successful people were introvert-extrovert pairs. When introverts and extroverts accepted each other and had an understanding that they somehow completed each other, they achieved miracles. Also the personality traits differ with geographical regions as well. Asians are incidentally more  introverted than American. Because that is life. Sometimes we have to take action and be energetic and just live in the heat of it all. At other times, we need to think deeply and rationally and to have thorough understanding of the problem at hand. And we do not always want quiet people around us. Similarly we do not want to live with people who cannot stop talking. We need to have a balance and for that we need to acknowledge our differences and figure out how to benefit from them.

Cain also gives some valuable advice to introverts and parents of young introverts. She acknowledges the fact that for better or for worse, we live in the world dominated by extroverts, so we have to make our way into the world. For that she has some very valuable advices to offer.

I admit that I picked this book because I thought that the synopsis gave a description of my own personality and reading it I found that I am not as abnormal as people think I am. My friends cannot understand why I don’t get excited about parties and class trips. I think I am mostly defensive and sometimes angry at such times and even if I go to the parties, I rarely enjoy but I still do because I want to be with my friends. It is pretty complicated. But I really liked reading this book and I sincerely think that it has the potential to change lives. At least it will make you feel good about yourself if you are an introvert.

Personally I think it is important to be different and be able to collaborate. I don’t like to imagine a world full of either extroverts or introverts. In fact, roughly half the world population are extrovert and other half are introverts. The book is evidently written to help introverts but at some points I think the writer made extroverts look like a little short of idiots or having shallow personalities or having less intellectual capabilities. I only want to emphasize that there should be a sense of proportion, a balance between the two types of personalities. This can be done in a better way if people are made aware of the merits and demerits of both types and they should be able to judge what route to take in life.