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Personal Growth
|expert reviewed


A COMPLETE GUIDE TO INTROVERTS: THE 4 MOST COMMON TYPES AND SIGNS

Author:
Stephanie Barnes
Expert reviewer:
Kristina Hallett, Ph.D., ABPP


Updated on August 22, 2022
By Stephanie Barnes

mbg Contributor
Stephanie Barnes is a freelance writer from Kingston, Jamaica. Her work has been
featured at The Huffington Post, Healthline, The Lily, HelloGiggles, Business
Insider, and more.
Expert review by
Kristina Hallett, Ph.D., ABPP

Board-certified Clinical Psychologist
Kristina Hallett, Ph.D., ABPP is a board-certified clinical psychologist with a
background in neuroscience. She is also the Director of Clinical Training at Bay
Path University, and an associate professor in Graduate Psychology.
Definition

Types

Introversion vs. social anxiety

Identifying your type

Takeaway
Last updated on August 22, 2022

When you hear the word introvert, you might think of someone who's painfully shy
and avoids human interaction at all costs.

You might even immediately identify with the word because you prefer staying in
with a good book rather than going out.

But those associations tend to be a rather simplistic view of introversion.

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WHAT IS AN INTROVERT?


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Psychiatrist Carl Jung developed the concepts of introversion and extroversion
in the early 1900s.

According to him, one of the easiest ways to spot an introvert is by the way
they recharge their social battery.

Introverts, he said, prefer to be in minimally stimulating environments and tend
to go inward to recharge, while extroverts are re-energized from interacting
with others.

Introverts also tend to have a low social desire and often withdraw from social
activity.

Many researchers have since tried to clarify the definition of introversion.

In 2011, research by psychologists Jennifer Grimes, Jonathan Cheek, and Julie
Norem broke introversion into four main types: social introvert, thinking
introvert, anxious introvert, and restrained introvert.


SUMMARY

An introvert is an individual who prefers to be in less stimulating environments
and needs to be alone to recharge.

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THE 4 TYPES OF INTROVERTS

1.


SOCIAL INTROVERT

Social introverts value solitude more than most people. They like being alone
but aren't opposed to the occasional gathering of close friends and family.

"Social introverts are less interested in large gatherings or parties," Anthony
Freire, LMHC, NCC, CCMHC, a licensed psychotherapist and the clinical director
of The Soho Center for Mental Health Counseling in New York, tells mbg.

He also notes that it's easy to confuse a social introvert with someone who's
dealing with social anxiety, but it's not the same thing: "A social introvert
doesn't avoid crowds because of anxiety but rather [because of] their
preference. Where they feel the most comfortable and happy is either in complete
solitude or in small groups in more subdued places."

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COMMON SIGNS OF A SOCIAL INTROVERT:

 * Prefer tiny intimate gatherings
 * Will happily go on a solo date or vacation
 * Require alone time to recharge, especially in a relationship
 * Will accept social invitations with no intention to show up


DATING AS A SOCIAL INTROVERT

When it comes to dating, social introverts will do well with both online dating
and in-person dating. And because they do well in small groups, they can even
try speed dating.

"Because introverts are very analytical, a social introvert should follow their
intuition when they meet someone. They should focus on going to places they
enjoy and skip the small talk," therapist Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali, LMFT, tells
mbg.

RELATED: 5 Telltale Introvert Characteristics & Traits, From Psychology Experts

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2.


THINKING INTROVERT

"The thinking introvert is very cognitive by nature. Often intellectual, this
type of introvert is often at peace when studying, reading, learning,
researching, and investigating," clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, Ph.D.,
explained.

The thinking introvert will often pause to cogitate before offering a response
to a question. "Let me think about that" can be a very common response for the
thinking-type introvert. 

Manly says introverts of this type are prone to getting lost in their thoughts
and may actually mentally "disappear" from conversations due to a retreat into
the mental world.

Laurie Helgoe, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and author of Introvert Power, also
notes that thinking introverts are sometimes mistaken for extroverts because
they're such good listeners: "People may mistake the receptive attitude of these
introverts as an invitation to talk more, when their silence may, in fact, be a
pause to think," she says.


COMMON SIGNS OF A THINKING INTROVERT:

 * More introspective than the average introvert
 * Will lean toward activities that provide a "mental haven" for thinking:
   studying, reading, researching, musical pursuits, or other creative
   activities
 * Generally not reactive and will often pause to think before offering a
   response to a question
 * Super self-aware

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DATING AS A THINKING INTROVERT

When it comes to close relationships, Helgoe says, "It can be helpful for
thinking introverts to 'narrate their introversion' by asking for time to think
in response to a question, for example, or by being upfront about requiring
alone time to refuel. Without making this known, others (especially extroverts)
may misinterpret their silence or take it personally when the introvert takes
time out from socializing."

3.


ANXIOUS INTROVERT

The anxious introvert is often quiet and may appear on edge or nervous, says
Manly.

This type of introvert shrinks away from people and settings that may further
stimulate anxiety.

The "anxious" introvert can be highly avoidant and even seem rude, yet the
"turning inward" behavior is simply a protective, sheltering defense mechanism
at work.

You'll likely find anxious introverts at home because of nervousness or fear,
usually catastrophizing events before they happen, which ultimately prevents
them from stepping out of their comfort zones.


COMMON SIGNS OF AN ANXIOUS INTROVERT:

 * Typically appear at least mildly nervous in most situations
 * May appear highly avoidant and rude
 * Will avoid social interactions at all costs


DATING AS AN ANXIOUS INTROVERT

When it comes to dating, anxious introverts probably won't do well with speed
dating and other social dating events, Osibodu-Onyali says.

But dating as an anxious introvert isn't impossible: They tend to do well-being
introduced by close friends or even with dating a close friend. 

"When it's time to go out on dates, they should stick to what makes them
comfortable," she recommends. "Pick dates that focus on you and your partner,
make it enjoyable, and don't push yourself too far outside of your comfort
zone."

4.


RESTRAINED INTROVERT

The restrained introvert, also called the inhibited introvert, tends to be more
reserved and can have their guards up around others until they get to know them.

But rather than seeming shy or avoidant, they simply come off as thoughtful and
grounded. 

"The restrained introvert tends to be reflective and even plodding in nature.
Often unemotional, this type of introvert is often very controlled and may have
very grounded energy," Manly says. "This type of introvert is often steadfast
and very rock-like in nature. The restrained-type introvert is often the quiet,
dutiful person that others tend to rely on."


COMMON SIGNS OF A RESTRAINED INTROVERT:

 * Move at a slower, more methodical pace in all things
 * Tend to enjoy predictable activities
 * Often unemotional


DATING AS A RESTRAINED INTROVERT

When it comes to relationships, a restrained introvert will be on the more
reserved side while getting to know a potential love interest.

Manly says the restrained introvert will likely keep personal information close
to their chest until they're more comfortable in the relationship, which may
take longer than usual because of the sluggish approach.

"The restrained introvert is likely to thrive in the realms of stability,
thoughtfulness, and self-reflection," she says. "Although it may sound as if a
person with this nature is boring, a restrained introvert can be extremely
fun-loving and passionate."


INTROVERSION VS. SOCIAL ANXIETY

If you find yourself wondering whether you’re an introvert or you have social
anxiety, you’ve come to the right place. 

Introverts prefer to be in minimally stimulating environments and recharge best
on their own or in select company. 

Social anxiety is a fear of social situations because we believe we aren't
competent enough and that everyone is evaluating all the minutiae of our
performance.

So we avoid these situations, leading us to feel more helpless about our social
skills.

Mental Health America states that introversion is related to social energy,
while social anxiety is a mental health condition related to fear of social
interactions.


SUMMARY

Introversion is related to social energy, while social anxiety is a mental
health condition related to fear of social interactions.

RELATED: Are You An Introvert — Or Do You Have Social Anxiety? Here's The
Difference


WHAT TYPE OF INTROVERT ARE YOU?

If you're wondering what kind of introvert you are, take a moment to see how
many of the above bulleted points apply to you.

The type with the most bullet points you resonate with is likely the type that
you are. 

If you find yourself always needing to step away from the group chat to think
about (or overthink) your next response, you could be a thinking introvert.

Is your most relaxed state filled with lingering anxiety and nervous energy? You
could be more of an anxious introvert. 


SUMMARY

If you're wondering what kind of introvert you are, take a moment to see how
many of the above-bulleted points apply to you.


THE TAKEAWAY

Now that you're more aware of the different types of introverts, hopefully
you'll move a little bit closer to becoming your best self through
self-awareness.

There are many ways introverts can have a good social life, succeed in the
workplace, and date successfully.

Understanding how you show up in the world and what you require to recharge can
only help you along the way.

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Stephanie Barnes

Stephanie Barnes is a freelance writer from Kingston, Jamaica. She studied
Information Technology from the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean and
spent several years as a front-end/iOS engineer. Her work has been featured at
The Huffington Post, Healthline, The Lily, HelloGiggles, Business Insider, and
more. She's passionate about all things mental health, technology, and
binge-worthy television.




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