Traits of an Introverted Personality Type – and 30 Famous Introverts
It’s a myth that an introverted personality type is a personality disorder! A reader recently interviewed me about introverts (and famous introverts); I was shocked at the misperceptions people have about introverted types. Here are the questions he asked about introverted personality traits…
First, here’s a quick way to tell if you’re an introvert or an extrovert:
“If there is an emergency do you tend to stand still and feel somewhat shutdown or in slow motion? If you have a standstill reaction to stress more often, then you are probably an introvert,” says psychotherapist and author Marti Olsen Laney, author of The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World
If you’re an introvert who wants a career perfectly suited to your personality and skills, you might find 200 Best Jobs for Introverts
Traits of an Introverted Personality Type
If you’re wondering if you’re an extrovert or an introvert, take this Test for Introverted Personality Traits.
Reader Question: Can we consider introversion a personality disorder?
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen: No, no, no! Introverts are normal. Extroverts are normal. Neither type of personality is a personality disorder. However, I did write an article called When Introverted Personality Traits Become Problematic, because some personality types can veer off in unhealthy directions. Of course, this can happen to extroverts, too.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with introverted personality traits, though introverts are commonly seen as abnormal, nerds, loners, withdrawn, shy, and unfriendly. Introverts can also be seen as lacking social skills.
Introverts:
- Enjoy time alone
- Consider only deep relationships as friends
- Feel drained after outside activities, even if they were fun
- Are often good listeners
- Appear calm and self-contained
- Think then speak or act
People with introverted personalities have an inward focus and aren’t usually the “life of the party.” Introverts have a strong sense of self that can make them feel highly self-conscious around other people – making walking into a crowded room a little nerve-wracking. Introverts have a hard time being goofy in front of the camera and telling jokes to more than a couple of people at a time, but they can be extremely witty. They’re less “Larry, Curly, and Moe” and more Woody Allen – but that doesn’t mean introverts’ personality traits are neurotic!
Introverts process their emotions, thoughts, and observations internally. They can be social people, but reveal less about themselves than extroverts do. Introverts are more private, and less public. Introverts need time to think before responding to a situation, and develop their ideas by reflecting privately. Introverts’ personality traits can be passionate, and sometimes aggressive.
Though different, introverts and extroverts can fall in love and have happy relationship. Read Extroverts and Introverts in Love – How to Build Strong Relationships if you’re an extrovert in love with an introvert, or an introvert in love with an extrovert!
Is it possible for an introvert to become an extrovert?
I suppose introverts can force themselves to be more extroverted, but what for? Not for career success, because introverted people can be just as successful professionally as extroverts – especially if they’re armed with Tips for Networking Successfully for Introverts. Introverts don’t need to become extroverts for relationship success, even if they’re with extroverts.
There’s no reason for introverts to become extroverts.
What advantage/s does an introvert have? (if any)
According to Laney, author of The Introvert Advantage, there are several advantages to being an introvert:
- work well with others, especially in one-to-one relationships
- maintain long-term friendships
- flexible
- independent
- strong ability to concentrate
- self-reflective
- responsible
- creative, out-of-the-box thinking
- analytical skills that integrate complexity
- studious and smart
I’m an introvert, and it’s normal to me. Introverts aren’t as common as extroverts (there are more extroverts in the world than introverts), but that doesn’t mean they’re abnormal or have a personality disorder.
Famous Introverts — Actresses
- Candice Bergen, actress, writer, photographer
- Ingrid Bergman, actress
- Ellen Burstyn, actress
- Glenn Close, actress
- Audrey Hepburn, actress
- Helen Hunt, actress
- Diane Keaton, actress
- Grace Kelly, actress
- Jessica Lange, actress
- Laura Linney, actress
- Gwyneth Paltrow, actress
- Michelle Pfeiffer, actress
- Julia Roberts, actress
- Meg Ryan, actress
- Meryl Streep, actress
Famous Introverts — Actors
- Clint Eastwood, actor/director
- Harrison Ford, actor
- Tom Hanks, actor
- Sir Alfred Hitchcock, film director
- Jack Lemmon, late actor
- Bill Macy, actor
- Steve Martin, all around talented guy
- Noah Wiley, actor
Other Famous Introverts
- Johnny Carson, former Tonight Show host
- Jane Clayson, host of CBS Morning Show
- Matt Lauer, co-host on the Today Show
- David Letterman, host of the David Letterman Show
- Diane Sawyer, co-host of ABC’s Good Morning America
- Barbara Walters, host of 20/20
If you have any questions or thoughts about the introverted personality type, please comment below…
Source of the “famous introverts” information: The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World
Dear Readers, thank you for your comments and questions -- I read every one! I do my best to respond, but may not be able to reply to everyone. ~ Warmest Wishes, Laurie
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Comment by Ivy on 22 October 2009:
I think it’s important to mention that different societies favor either introverts or extraverts. I am introverted and would probably be well thought of in Japan, where modesty, good manners and a quiet manner are held in high esteem. Aggressive, always-on-the-go personalities are favored in the US, and to a lesser degree, in Canada. In the latter countries, people who tend to be introverted are looked upon as strange or worse, mentally ill! Let’s remember that a cure for cancer will not be found by a social butterfly. Instead, a quiet, introverted researcher who is able to spend long amounts of time alone observing, pondering, etc. is the one who will find the cure. Why can’t we accept that people are individuals and each person has something of value to contribute to the world?
Comment by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen on 23 October 2009:
Hi Ivy,
Good point — I’ve had so many introverts comment on my articles and say they always felt weird, odd, and even abnormal. Yes, people with introverted personality traits can be looked upon as strange, even by members of their own family. I think that’s partly because introverts are less common in North America than extroverts.
I hadn’t thought about being an introvert in a different country…interesting perspective! Japan definitely has different values and cultural norms than North America.
Maybe we can’t accept that people are individuals because we’re uncomfortable with people who are different. We feel better when people are like us, when they have similar values, goals, personalities, and lifestyles. People who are different threaten our comfort zones, I think.
An extrovert may not find the cure for cancer, but an introvert may not be able to raise the financial support or network with the right people to get the resources to continue looking for that cure! We need each other to reach our goals. In an ideal world, we’d all work together and use our strengths to make everyone’s life better. How’s that for fantasty?
Laurie
Comment by Patty on 24 October 2009:
This was a very interesting read, Laurie. I’m definitely an introvert. Although I’ve never thought of this as abnormal, it does make parties and other social engagements uncomfortable. Since I’ve been a work-from-home freelance copywriter, I would say that I’ve become a bit reclusive. (Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.) I truly prefer the quiet creativity of my own mind and intimate one-on-one social interaction to the over-stimulation I feel at larger events. Thanks for sharing your insight!
Comment by Gini Grey on 24 October 2009:
I find the whole introvert/extrovert topic interesting as I have shifted from one to the other over the years. In my childhood, teens and 20′s I was mostly an extrovert – quick to think, respond, enjoyed social outings (even though I was shy in groups where I didn’t know anyone, but very outgoing if I did know people)and was on the go endlessly.
In my 30′s I burned out from all my over activity and was recommneded by an Ayervedic Dr. to slow down, meditate, relax in the evenings etc. I moved to a small, peaceful Island, and also started delving deeper into spirituality and began meditating regularly. Since then I have become more sensitive to the energy around me, and need much more alone time. I enjoy social gatherings every so often, but not for long periods of time. I crave silence and nature. So am I an introvert now?
I’d be curious to hear from other readers if they found a change as they grew older or began meditating etc. I think for me as I have found a richness within – in inner silence and spirituality – I don’t need external activity so much and it can be draining at times to exert myself too much socially.
Thanks for the interesting article, Laurie.
Comment by Susan Z. Swan on 25 October 2009:
Interesting read. It is amazing how much “they are normal” can still end up sounding like there is something wrong with introverts though.
About a decade ago I was teaching an intensive summer course preparing Teaching Assistants to teach their first course that fall. One of the activities was designed to have the students do some perspective taking, so the extroverts were asked to create a class that would work well for introverts and vice versa. As it turned out, the introverts did a great job of creating learning activities that the extroverts loved. When the extroverts presented what they came up with for the introverts, to a person, the introverts were horrified. Turned out the extroverts chose what they thought would be “good for” the introverts–i.e. totally extroverted activities–rather than activities that accepted introverted preferences as normal. What a great lesson it was for us all!
Comment by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen on 26 October 2009:
That’s fascinating, thanks Susan!
But I’m not surprised that introverts are better than picking activities for extroverts. Introverts seem, as a whole, generally speaking, more thoughtful and insightful than extroverts. I may take heat from people with extroverted personality traits for that, but I believe introverts tend to think more. Thus, they may have a better handle on people and activities and all that.
Comment by Stella Benson on 29 December 2009:
Thank you Laurie, I’m very grateful to find this webpage! I understand myself a bit better now. Being an introvert can feel very alienating, especially when so many people don’t recognise this. I wonder if there’s such a thing as an introverts support group(I’m joking of course but it’s not such a bad idea).
However there is something else I’d like to understand, even though I seem to fit the descriptions of an intravert, I also now and then have a great urge to be an extravert, some situations seem to inspire this in me. It it could be with people I know or don’t know.
I’m an artist by profession. I’d be interested to have your interpretation or feedback on this please?
Comment by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen on 30 December 2009:
Hi Stella,
I’m glad you’re here! And, you’re more normal than you think: about 95% of introverts and extroverts have a mixture of introverted and extroverted personality traits. Almost every single one of us — whether we’re introveted or extroverted — have a balance of both types of personalities.
Some introverts are more extroverted than others, and some extroverts are more introverted than others. So, your tendency to feel extroverted now and then is totally normal. I don’t think it has anything to do with your profession per se…it’s just part of being human.
That said, it may be that periods of solitude (if you experience those as a writer) bring out your extroverted personality traits. For instance, I’m an introverted writer who works at home full-time…and if I go for days without seeing anyone but my husband, I tend to display more extroverted personality traits. In other words, I want to PARTY with lots of people!! Even the most introverted of introverts needs human companionship once in awhile
I hope this helps answer your question, and I wish you all the best.
Laurie