Glumlock
Well-known member
This will raise questions, and may change perspectives regarding SA. It's my theory based on a lot of extensive research into Jung's theories of introversion and extroversion as well as Myres-Briggs typology research.
If you're curious as to finding out your MBTI take the test here .
Jung divided people into two categories based on how we gain and expend energy - Extroverts and Introverts.
The question we will aim to answer is whether Social Anxiety can affect this domain of our personality, and if so how?
Firstly, we'll look at some common (mis)conceptions of Extroverts and Introverts
* Extroverts are happier, more sociable than introverts
* Introverts are shy and socially inept
* Introverts are more prone to anxiety than extroverts
* Extroverts are attention seekers
* Extroverts are more self absorbed and prone to narcissism
* Introverts are more anti social and are prone to avoidance
* Introverts are less self confident than extroverts
* Extroverts have many friends, Introverts have few
* Introverts are reclusive and socially withdrawn
* Extroverts are outgoing thrillseekers who thrive on excitement
* Introverts are much easily stimulated than extroverts
* Extroverts go to lots of parties. Introverts stay at home reading
* Extroverts are better at practical things like science and maths
* Introverts are better at creative things like art and writing
* Introverts are more empathic than extroverts
Most of these assumptions are either completely or partially false.
Intro/Extroversion is based on how you gain and expend your energy, how you view social situations and how you deal with them. It doesn't generally affect confidence or anxiety levels. The other 3 domains of a person's MBTI are responsible for most of these.
The key difference between introverts and extroverts is how they gain and expend energy - Extroverts will gain energy from social situations, hence why they can often seem to be the life and soul of a party. This continuous flow of energy means that the extrovert is never short of something to say, and often has lots of friends. They make friends easy, and usually keep to large groups. They are often very ambitious and creative. Extroverts are more likely to enjoy things which put them at the center of attention like Drama, Singing, modelling and public speaking. This is often why most world leaders are extroverts. Extroverts are often more prone to aggressive behaviour than introverts.
Introverts are generally more introspective - they spend a lot of time looking inward. As a result, they are often more self aware than extroverts, who are often able to relate to others well, while often overlooking their own insecurities. They can cope just as well as extroverts in social situations, in some cases, their self heightened awareness often makes them MORE socially confident and adaptable than extroverts. The thing with Introverts is that they need downtime in the form of time spent alone, and there's often no limit as to how much "me time" they can have. An introvert could be the most socially confident and talkative person in the world if they have the energy to sustain the front, but this is only done by curbing their inferior function.
In addition, Introverts are generally more excited by mundane things such as reading or drawing, whereas extroverts tend to need higher levels of stimulation. A Thrilling Roller Coaster ride will probably produce as much adrenaline in an extrovert as switching on a blender would do to an Introvert. Introverts often do things like take solitary walks, read and skim stones. I know one who does endless codebreakers and sodoku. Creative introverts will choose to channel their creative energy into writing or drawing. Creative extroverts often produce abstract or physical art, or go for acting/music. Anything that attracts an audience. Some of the greatest actors were extroverts (Michael Cane, Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman, Meryll Streep, Brad Pitt, Leonadro DeCaprio) and the greatest writers were mainly introverts (William Shakespeare, Aldus Huxley, George Orwell, J.K. Rowling, Jane Austen, Emily Bronte)
Extroverts by definition seem to be more socially desirable than Introverts, whereas Introversion is more desirable for a healthy psychological wellbeing.
The Inferior Function
Whatever your main function is (domains 1 and 3) the inferior function is the polar opposite of these domains (Myres, 1972). For example someone who is an INFP has a dominant or lead function of Introverted Feeler (Fi) and their inferior (shadow) function is Extroverted Thinking (Te). The shadow function is called such because it is projective, it is visible, especially in light (where you're more visible) and it is always going to be on view.
The shadow function is what people see when you run out of energy. The more energy you expend, the more your shadow function will begin to show. Curbing this function allows you to retain energy - you do this by being more self aware. Introverts who are arguably more self aware than extroverts are able to do this more easily, which is probably due to social implications - you need to have some degree of extroversion to get by in life. To get by psychologically (making it through life without cracking up) you need some degree of introversion.
Lets use an example to explain
Lets say Tony is an Introverted Feeler (Fi). Tony often struggles in social situations - saying stupid things when he doesn't know what to say. Generally he can cope in social situations, but often shuts down when confronted by lots of people. He doesn't enjoy being put on the spot and sometimes fails to think quickly, often blurting out nonsensical things and then (after having time to think about it) realises how idiotic he was.
This is because his shadow function (Te) is often on display in social situations. He's not good at extroverted thinking (giving an answer on the spot) and when in a social situation, he expends energy, so doesn't have the time to think about what he's going to say to people, and often ends up saying stupid things that may even offend people. He has a knack for digging himself into a hole during conversations. This is all due to his inferior Extroverted Thinking. People with an inferior Te will often find themselves thinking "why the hell did i say that?"
So how does this all relate to Social Anxiety?
The real reason you wanted to read this thread. People seem to be confusing social competence with Extroversion, and lots of people seem to believe that Social Anxiety can make you introverted in some way. I don't think that this is true at all. There is a massive difference between an Introvert and an Extrovert who is socially inept.
I do believe there is a link with Intro/Extroversion and how we deal with social anxiety. Extroverts can be faced with crippling shyness and blushing attacks, while Introverts may rarely even notice. One must realise that there is a difference between staying inside due to choice and staying inside due to an inability to function adequately in a social environment.
Just because you stay inside doesn't make you an introvert.
Likewise, just because you can go outside and have friends and a relatively normal social life doesn't mean you're an extrovert.
It's perfectly possible for an introvert to have lots of friends and spend most of their time outside - it suggests they have a strong hold over their inferior function. So long as they get their downtime when they need it, they can function very well. It's also perfectly possible for an extrovert to spend all of their time inside on a computer wishing they had more friends - it's this desire for friends and desire for a social life they don't have that makes them extroverted. Obviously an extrovert who is like this has a hugely overpowering shadow function. I personally believe that SA in extroverts can be attributed to the shadow function. In introverts SA becomes more of a conditioned response.
Going back to the concept of desirability - introverts may often feel socially pressured. This will often spark feelings of inadequacy in said Introvert, and cause them to become even more socially withdrawn.
My advice is that if you're an introvert - don't feel that you're inadequate or that you're not normal. It's perfectly normal to prefer your own time to the company of others - you just need to be aware of this. Be aware of WHY you are like this. Suss out your personality type and decide on your primary and inferior functions. This will allow you to become more aware of where these traits are most obvious.
Better the enemy you know - get familiar with your shadow function. Learn when it strikes and either avoid or better yet, try and tame it in these situations. Eventually your energy retention will be much more effective.
Shadow functions are a part of you - don't be ashamed or afraid of them
If you're curious as to finding out your MBTI take the test here .
Jung divided people into two categories based on how we gain and expend energy - Extroverts and Introverts.
The question we will aim to answer is whether Social Anxiety can affect this domain of our personality, and if so how?
Firstly, we'll look at some common (mis)conceptions of Extroverts and Introverts
* Extroverts are happier, more sociable than introverts
* Introverts are shy and socially inept
* Introverts are more prone to anxiety than extroverts
* Extroverts are attention seekers
* Extroverts are more self absorbed and prone to narcissism
* Introverts are more anti social and are prone to avoidance
* Introverts are less self confident than extroverts
* Extroverts have many friends, Introverts have few
* Introverts are reclusive and socially withdrawn
* Extroverts are outgoing thrillseekers who thrive on excitement
* Introverts are much easily stimulated than extroverts
* Extroverts go to lots of parties. Introverts stay at home reading
* Extroverts are better at practical things like science and maths
* Introverts are better at creative things like art and writing
* Introverts are more empathic than extroverts
Most of these assumptions are either completely or partially false.
Intro/Extroversion is based on how you gain and expend your energy, how you view social situations and how you deal with them. It doesn't generally affect confidence or anxiety levels. The other 3 domains of a person's MBTI are responsible for most of these.
The key difference between introverts and extroverts is how they gain and expend energy - Extroverts will gain energy from social situations, hence why they can often seem to be the life and soul of a party. This continuous flow of energy means that the extrovert is never short of something to say, and often has lots of friends. They make friends easy, and usually keep to large groups. They are often very ambitious and creative. Extroverts are more likely to enjoy things which put them at the center of attention like Drama, Singing, modelling and public speaking. This is often why most world leaders are extroverts. Extroverts are often more prone to aggressive behaviour than introverts.
Introverts are generally more introspective - they spend a lot of time looking inward. As a result, they are often more self aware than extroverts, who are often able to relate to others well, while often overlooking their own insecurities. They can cope just as well as extroverts in social situations, in some cases, their self heightened awareness often makes them MORE socially confident and adaptable than extroverts. The thing with Introverts is that they need downtime in the form of time spent alone, and there's often no limit as to how much "me time" they can have. An introvert could be the most socially confident and talkative person in the world if they have the energy to sustain the front, but this is only done by curbing their inferior function.
In addition, Introverts are generally more excited by mundane things such as reading or drawing, whereas extroverts tend to need higher levels of stimulation. A Thrilling Roller Coaster ride will probably produce as much adrenaline in an extrovert as switching on a blender would do to an Introvert. Introverts often do things like take solitary walks, read and skim stones. I know one who does endless codebreakers and sodoku. Creative introverts will choose to channel their creative energy into writing or drawing. Creative extroverts often produce abstract or physical art, or go for acting/music. Anything that attracts an audience. Some of the greatest actors were extroverts (Michael Cane, Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman, Meryll Streep, Brad Pitt, Leonadro DeCaprio) and the greatest writers were mainly introverts (William Shakespeare, Aldus Huxley, George Orwell, J.K. Rowling, Jane Austen, Emily Bronte)
Extroverts by definition seem to be more socially desirable than Introverts, whereas Introversion is more desirable for a healthy psychological wellbeing.
The Inferior Function
Whatever your main function is (domains 1 and 3) the inferior function is the polar opposite of these domains (Myres, 1972). For example someone who is an INFP has a dominant or lead function of Introverted Feeler (Fi) and their inferior (shadow) function is Extroverted Thinking (Te). The shadow function is called such because it is projective, it is visible, especially in light (where you're more visible) and it is always going to be on view.
The shadow function is what people see when you run out of energy. The more energy you expend, the more your shadow function will begin to show. Curbing this function allows you to retain energy - you do this by being more self aware. Introverts who are arguably more self aware than extroverts are able to do this more easily, which is probably due to social implications - you need to have some degree of extroversion to get by in life. To get by psychologically (making it through life without cracking up) you need some degree of introversion.
Lets use an example to explain
Lets say Tony is an Introverted Feeler (Fi). Tony often struggles in social situations - saying stupid things when he doesn't know what to say. Generally he can cope in social situations, but often shuts down when confronted by lots of people. He doesn't enjoy being put on the spot and sometimes fails to think quickly, often blurting out nonsensical things and then (after having time to think about it) realises how idiotic he was.
This is because his shadow function (Te) is often on display in social situations. He's not good at extroverted thinking (giving an answer on the spot) and when in a social situation, he expends energy, so doesn't have the time to think about what he's going to say to people, and often ends up saying stupid things that may even offend people. He has a knack for digging himself into a hole during conversations. This is all due to his inferior Extroverted Thinking. People with an inferior Te will often find themselves thinking "why the hell did i say that?"
So how does this all relate to Social Anxiety?
The real reason you wanted to read this thread. People seem to be confusing social competence with Extroversion, and lots of people seem to believe that Social Anxiety can make you introverted in some way. I don't think that this is true at all. There is a massive difference between an Introvert and an Extrovert who is socially inept.
I do believe there is a link with Intro/Extroversion and how we deal with social anxiety. Extroverts can be faced with crippling shyness and blushing attacks, while Introverts may rarely even notice. One must realise that there is a difference between staying inside due to choice and staying inside due to an inability to function adequately in a social environment.
Just because you stay inside doesn't make you an introvert.
Likewise, just because you can go outside and have friends and a relatively normal social life doesn't mean you're an extrovert.
It's perfectly possible for an introvert to have lots of friends and spend most of their time outside - it suggests they have a strong hold over their inferior function. So long as they get their downtime when they need it, they can function very well. It's also perfectly possible for an extrovert to spend all of their time inside on a computer wishing they had more friends - it's this desire for friends and desire for a social life they don't have that makes them extroverted. Obviously an extrovert who is like this has a hugely overpowering shadow function. I personally believe that SA in extroverts can be attributed to the shadow function. In introverts SA becomes more of a conditioned response.
Going back to the concept of desirability - introverts may often feel socially pressured. This will often spark feelings of inadequacy in said Introvert, and cause them to become even more socially withdrawn.
My advice is that if you're an introvert - don't feel that you're inadequate or that you're not normal. It's perfectly normal to prefer your own time to the company of others - you just need to be aware of this. Be aware of WHY you are like this. Suss out your personality type and decide on your primary and inferior functions. This will allow you to become more aware of where these traits are most obvious.
Better the enemy you know - get familiar with your shadow function. Learn when it strikes and either avoid or better yet, try and tame it in these situations. Eventually your energy retention will be much more effective.
Shadow functions are a part of you - don't be ashamed or afraid of them
