Would you rather drink in the beauty alone, or with a group of people?
This test for introverted personality traits not only reveals if you’re an introvert, it describes the top signs of introversion – some of which will surprise you!
This personality test is from The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney (the link to Amazon is below).
For instance, did you know that introverts don’t think of casual acquaintances as friends? And, introverts take a long time to sort out information…and they dread returning phone calls (that’s me!).
“Introverts enjoy time alone, consider only deep relationships as friends, and feel drained after outside activities, even if they were fun” says Marti Olsen Laney, author of The Introvert & Extrovert in Love: Making It Work When Opposites Attract.
Laney also says these famous female actresses are introverts: Gwyneth Paltrow, Helen Hunt, Meg Ryan, Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, Grace Kelly, Julia Robert, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ingrid Bergman, Candice Bergen, and Glenn Close. Wow! We’re all in good company, then 
.
A Test for Introverted Personality Traits
Answer true or false to the following questions about introversion and extroversion:
1. I like to have long, uninterrupted periods to work on projects, rather than small chunks.
2. I sometimes rehearse things before speaking, occasionally writing notes to myself.
3. I like to listen more than talk.
4. People sometimes think I’m quiet, mysterious, aloof or calm.
5. I usually need to think before I respond or speak.
6. I like to share special occasions with just one or two people, rather than have a big celebration.
7. I tend to notice details many people don’t see.
8. If two people have just had an argument, I feel the tension in the air.
9. If I say I’ll do something, I almost always do it.
10. I feel anxious if I have a deadline or pressure.
11. I can zone out if too much is going on.
12. I like to watch an activity for awhile before joining in.
13. I form lasting relationships.
14. I don’t like to interrupt others; I don’t like to be interrupted.
15. When I take in lots of information, it takes me awhile to sort it out.
16. I don’t like overstimulating environments.
17. I sometimes have strong reactions to smells, tastes, foods, weather, and noise.
18. I am creative and/or imaginative.
19. I feel drained after social situations, even when I enjoy myself.
20. I prefer to be introduced rather than having to introduce others.
21. I often feel uncomfortable in new surroundings.
22. I can become grouchy if I’m around people or activities for too long.
23. I often dread returning phone calls.
24. I like people to come to my home, but I don’t like them to stay a long time.
25. I find my mind sometimes goes blank when I meet people or when I am asked to speak unexpectedly.
26. I talk slowly or have gaps in my words, especially if I’m tired or if I’m trying to think and speak at once.
27. I don’t think of acquaintances as close friends.
28. I feel as if I can’t show other people my ideas until they’re fully formulated.
29. Other people may surprise me by thinking I’m smarter than I am.
Are you an introvert? The answer…
Simply add up your “true” responses. The more “trues” you have, the more introverted personality traits or introversion signs you possess…
Scoring:
20-29 “true” responses means you’re a true introvert (like me!). “Only deep relationships measure up as friendships and you use them to relax. You need to mentally rest throughout the day, even after enjoyable activities. Because you will draw a blank under pressure, prepare for meetings, talks, and even parties beforehand. Accept your nature and learn to politely fend off energy-draining people.”
10-19 “true” responses means you’re both introverted and extroverted. “You sometimes feel torn between the desire to dance in the streets and walk alone on the beach. Notice this, so you can keep your energy consistent. You judge yourself through your thoughts and feelings, and through others, leaving you with a broad view that is sometimes difficult to straddle.”
1-9 “true” responses means you’re an extrovert. “You relish variety, have lots of ‘close, personal’ friends and will chat with complete strangers. Your stimulation is all external, so you talk, think, and act quickly. As you reach midlife, however, you may need to take a break from the high life to reflect, even though it goes against your nature.”
To learn more about extroverts, read 5 Personality Traits of Extroverted People.
Curious about other people with introverted personality traits? Read 30 Famous Introverts.
This test for introversion is from The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World by Marti Olsen Laney.
Did this test for introverted personality traits reveal anything new about your personality? I welcome your comments below!
I scored 28. That makes me an extreme introvert. I always knew I was so different than everybody around me. My family members, the kids I hung around at school and my co-workers. Everyone was so bubbly, energetic, making pranks or talk up a storm. Me, I just sat there watching and listening. Everybody making plans what they want to do or where to go on the weekend. I just wanted to stay home and watch TV or read or write to my other friends. I felt anti-social but all was well with me. I was happy and calm. That’s all I needed. At work I didn’t like going to meetings or work related functions. I went only because it was mandatory. Too many people and everybody talking. It’s too much. My cell phone I love. I never call people, only if I have to but I love to text. I can text all day long! I express myself with written word more than spoken word. I get to think what I want to express before I write it. I have many aquaintances, but I must say I have no real friends. I am creative in that I love to crochet beanie caps and donate them to cancer patients.
I’ve been introverted my entire life because I was raised in an alcoholic household. I wonder how many of us have that in common? It seems to be a pretty big common ground for children of alcoholics to be introverts.
Anyway, I got to this site because I realized I’m a 27 year old successful tattoo artist, and I’ve never been asked to be in a wedding. That sounds stupid, but it makes me realize how many friends i don’t have… I’ve always felt like a “bad friend” because I usually don’t hang out with people unless they ask me first, and even then they usually have to drag me out of the house. I get along with men more comfortably than women because they’re just an easier species to understand for me (they’re quiet, simple, and hold onto their childish nature forever), whereas with women I feel like I’m constantly being judged or seen as “weird”. My outlet is comedy, I’m good at making people laugh when I need to… But having “small talk” is PAINFUL. It’s made it really tough to have a consistent friends circle, and I’ve always adopted my boyfriends friends as my own even though that means they’re not going to be there in the same way when we break up (which we did.).. Sociology is strange.
no one directly told me that i’m an introvert, i just found out before when i took an exam in college. it’s kinda hard to be an introvert because few people would talk to you.
what could we do to easily get along with people, or for them to not to think that we are weird?
Wow…. I guess I found a home here.. people I can relate to.. .. Ive been accused of many things… people have even accused me of being gay since Im not the outgoing type. Nothing could be further from the truth… It takes me time to trust people and once that trust is broken Im done with em… It would be nice if there was a dating site designated to us introverts…Maybe I could connect on a deeper level with a woman who understands me.. does anybody know of a meeting place for people like us?
Tom
Please, can you tell me if being an introvert minimizes a females ability to be warm and loveing in everyday communications?
I’m a pastor that has to be extroverted (over30years) after my MBTI i was told that sometimes an introvert can be a better extrovert than a natual extrovert. Why is that? And what are my inntimate possibilities?
I have a sort of unusual case. I am an introverted musician. I can get up and perform in front of one hundred or more people, but I want nothing to do with them when all is said and done. It is currently causing problems for me because I’ve started music school and most performers are extremely extroverted look-at-me types. It causes a lot of mixed feelings, almost driving me away from my passion to become a professional. I don’t personally believe anyone can readily turn an introvert into an extrovert or vice versa. Sometimes I even find myself angry to be around other people and would rather be alone completing tasks and flooding my mind with new ideas. It’s been extremely hard for me to make friends, because like the questions state, I only consider friends those I’ve had a long term history with. An acquaintance usually has to want to become friends with me to actually form a strong bond. A problem I can imagine most introverts having is generally being misunderstood and mistaken for snobs, so no one will give them the time of day. I typically mistaken my introverted behavior for depression, because it can be stressful sometimes. The only times I’m outgoing is when I’m with my nuclear family, and very close friends, and even then if feels foreign to me.
But I feel better knowing that there are plenty of other introverts out there, (although few in my current case) and I’ll meet them eventually.
it irks me how society seemes to want/exept extroverted people
I’m an extreme introvert. Like … off the charts type of introvert.
Hmm but I tend to give the impression for being the go-to guy for business development, until actually going for a networking session when I feel like jumping off the 2nd level of the 2 storey pub (Bourne identity style) because it feels totally awkward for me.
Wow! I am really an extreme introvert and people close to me has been criticizing because I am not ‘normal and outgoing’..funny I feel pity for them for being so ignnorant!
I am so glad I run across this article. I am very-very introvert. I thought something is wrong with me because I always feel tired at the social gatherings, parties or even when I go shopping with a friend. My perfect weekend is quiet time with my husband (who is an extrovert LOL) at our secluded cottage. From time to time I need to re-charge just by laying on a bed and letting my thoughts go. I must say it is difficult to advance in the office when all extroverts are so good to get career advances.
I am a true introvert. Except #20: I have no preference to introducing or being introduced. #24: I do not like company, so do not want anyone coming to my home. Ever. Exception would be daughter who sometimes is in are on biz trip (I live 3,000 miles away from family; and the other two welcome visitors, son and daughter have not been out here, since I relocated.)
When I lived closer to family, I did not mind visits from most of them, nor cared how long they stayed.
#26: I talk fast and annoyed with people who speak slowly.
#14: Wow. I did not know that was an introvert trait; definitely applies to me.
#5: I often chide myself to stop answering questions without first thinking or processing info. My main objective is to be done with person who started conversation; do not want to be bothered with interaction.
I often said I prefer letters to phone calls, because I can read them at my leisure, take time to digest news, write thought out replies, and not be interrupted while I am “talking”.
I’m glad this article was helpful! Introverted personality traits don’t need to be fixed, because there is nothing wrong with being introverted and quiet.
I hope you show your husband this test, so he can see that there is nothing wrong with being introverted.
i thought i just had social anxiety, but now i know. my score was about 27. my husband has spent quite a few years trying to “fix” me. i am very uncomfortable in social situations, etc, however, when i have to take the initiative to be outgoing i can.Its nice to know i guess im normal, might take me a while to feel that way though, Thanks so very much
27/30 so must be an introvert for sure! I liked the above comments about being in a shell because in high school that was my teachers and parents big complaint about me but hey its ok to be noisy and over talkative like the rest of my class.Recently,I have been reading the book “Quiet” which is very enlightening and makes me feel a lot more normal at 53. There certainly have been advantages to being introverted not withstanding finishing a Masters Degree since leaving school and being able to play 3 musical instruments proficiently.Now all I need is a job where I can work from home and not be bothered by annoying extroverted workmates!
I scored 27. Now I feel like I’m completely isolated from people. I hate going out in public because of all the people and it’s so awkward. I hate talking to new people and I hate new environment. I hate it when people say, “You’re so quiet. Get out of your nutshell blah blah blah”. That only makes me worse because I interpret as being quiet is a bad thing. This world is too designed for extroverts and many times I feel I’ll never accomplish anything. My parents pressure me too, to stop being soft spoken and be more assertive. I feel like a failure. I wish I had some help or some encouragement.
Great test. I scored 27/29 so I’m definitely in the introvert crowd. I’ve had most of these traits from my earliest memories of childhood, so I truly am wired this way. Like others here I’ve always felt flawed, mainly because others have made me feel “flawed”, describing me as being in a “shell”. Guess what–there’s no shell! After recently hitting the half century mark, I no longer feel the need to “fix” myself or change for others as I did when I was younger. I can finally embrace who I am and be okay with it, which usually occurs in older age anyway. One other issue I have always encountered as an introvert is that rather than truly getting to know you, people will begin to “guess” and formulate in their minds who you are, and of course, they’re almost always wrong in their assessments. I will say I was surprised by some of the celebrity introverts, especially Meg Ryan, who has never come across that way at all in any of her movie roles. Even he beautiful and famous are this way–very comforting.
I remember my dad telling me that I was an introvert when I was in middle school and not fully understanding what it meant, but for the past few months I have been reading articles about introverts. There are certain extroverts I avoid because they require a lot of attention and they drain me, so I just have to to be around them in small doses, but not because I don’t like them. I enjoy doing things alone like shopping, reading, writing and I only have one close friend besides my husband. I can’t stand small talk, which introverts usually don’t like to talk about the weather and other mundane topics. I’ve been made to feel like something is wrong with me and was even made fun of in high school and as an adult for being “too quiet” I’ve accepted who I am, but there is room for growth, I can break out of my comfort zone in order to appear friendlier and to make new acquaintances
Thank you, this test was very helpful, I scored 18 and so I am almost a true introvert. I needed to have this self assesment for myself as a 31 year old, full time mommy to 2 little ones, to understand the ‘drain’ that I have been feeling. I am not allowing myself enough time alone to recharge my batteries and I have been over committing myself socially to bless my children’s schedules.
I am a psych major student and have studied a bachelors and honors and post graduate masters in counseling, and in my 20′s was repeatedly tested and evaluated as an extrovert.
I was an extrovert as a single student. Now as a married parent, I am an introvert for sure!
Thank you for this test, it has been very helpful
Lauren
I have been reading up on introverted and extroverted people because i have very strong feelings for a female i think is quite introvert, i thought i was an extravert so i have been looking to see if introvert and extravert people can fall in love and stay together. Until i did this test, it turns out i got 21 out of 29 so I’m more like her then i thought! i do tend to require less me time though and i do value very close friends opinions, but i hate being amongst people i don’t know, i have very few select friends that i build very close friendships with. But i am very compassionate and do need someone with me to feel secure and talk to to validate what i say. So I’m very mixed. I also hate loud sounds, I’m very sensitive when i comes to smell and taste. But still ended up with a 21 out of 29. i am somewhat happy to have discovered this site.
I scored 17 out of 29. I guess I am somewhere in the middle. What are good career choices for a person like me that possesses both qualities? I like being in crowds where all of the action is, but I don’t necessarily mix with others right away. I just love to observe what is happening amd the reactions of others around me. Although I am very social I tend to pick up small details of their personality and facial expressions while I am talking to them and can usually tell within a short time whether or not they are an introvert or extrovert. I love being with people but I don’t think I could do it as a regular thing everyday. I have never really thought that being an introvert was a disadvantage, but just the opposite since introverts tend to be more observant about details in general. I am not necessarily shy, but I do like to feel out my environment and people in it before I feel safe enough to let them meet the real me. So what are some career ideas for those of us who are both?
This article was comforting. As the article says, I always thought there was something wrong with me, that I was antisocial, that I have issues, etc. I mean, yeah, I do have an issue or two to work out, but it’s a relief to finally understand why it is that I have to psyche myself up so much just to get out of the house, or to warmly welcome people who visit me.
But I think that it is a good thing for an introvert to be connected to an extrovert in a romantic relationship. It provides balance. Who would talk between the two introverts? Who would listen between two extroverts?
many thanks for the post,, i score 27 out of 29!! also read all the other comments here, love the feel that there are many as like me,, another world,, thanku all
I’m 44 and have struggled all my life with this. I felt like I was the only one with this problem. Hearing others sharing makes me realize that it is okay to be this way, and you don’t have to be someone you are just not. Now I can like myself and just go with the flow in knowing that Im not alone. I wish I would have known this sooner and not thought that I had this mental problem.
29 out of 29. Wow! I mean, it’s no big surprise that I’m an introvert, but I didn’t think I’d answer all 29 sentences with a ” true” . . .
Hey. Interesting post.
I took the MBPT several times in the past and seem to aways end up with INFJ. I scored a 28 on this test. Like you, I’m also an introvert. As most of the commenters mentioned, I too felt different from alot of people especially while i was in college. There were times during classes when I would always check the clock so i can get out and go study quietly alone in the library. LOL! *grabs the nerdy glasses* lol. Good times.
Wow. I knew there was something different. I’m on the borderline of mix of intro and extro and introvert. its true re the blanking out and prep in advance for meetings etc. Such a relief to know why I am this way.
Cheers
L
I felt somewhat surprise, but deep down I knew I was an introvert, especially after reading the one about returning phone calls. I have lost a few jobs because of this….wow! I’m going to work on being more outgoing…
I guess I’m an anti social introvert. I got a 27, but disagree with both the answers showing I’m extroverted. I do not like people to come to my house, at all. If they must, they WILL leave quickly. And I do not form long lasting relationships. I don’t form short ones, though, either. I have my dogs for company and I’m happy being alone with my thoughts. When I was younger, both these things were not true, but they have become so over time.
Woah, I got 24.5… I’m extremely introverted!
Haha, I always thought I was anti-social or something. :p
Introverted and proud!