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Introverts Have More Brain Activity?
* * Beatles-Beatles writes to tell us Yahoo News is reporting that introverted individuals tend to have more brain activity in general, specifically in the frontal lobe. From the article: "The attitude that there's something wrong with introverted people is widely shared in society, where fast talk and snap decisions are often valued over listening, deliberation and careful planning. Extroverts seem to rule the world or, at least, the USA, which hasn't elected an introverted president for three decades, since Jimmy Carter."
Another case of the assumption that the USA = The World.
We don't believe in radical loony monotheistic religions from the middle east -- we're Christians.
I guess it makes sense. The more time you spend talking the less time you spend thinking.
I still have to wonder about the research methodology though... You stick an introvert who likes being by himself in one machine and an extrovert who hates being by himself in another. Is it really any wonder that the person who likes being by himself has more brain activity in this situation? I think it would be better if they could somehow measure an introvert reading a book and compare that to an extrovert mingling at a party.
What are you eating? isItVeg?.
Heh. I remember Carter. His "introvertedness" if that's what it was, was beside the point. The man exuded a mopey hopelessness every time he spoke. His energy policy consisted of wearing cardigans on TV when he gave his "fireside chats", and telling us he was turning down the thermostat at the White House. His cap on gas prices resulted in gas shortages.
His foreign policy of "USA bends over and spreads them" is directly responsible for the mess that exists in Iran today, and in fact one of the hostage takers of the time is "El Presidente" of Iran today.
Carter may be capable of building houses, and beating off savage attack rabbits with a canoe paddle.
He was waaay out of his depth as a president.
Everyone should have to endure watching the man's speeches to America. Those who missed it won't understand what a dismal time that was.
Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president
Sir Alfred Hitchcock, film director
Michael Jordan, basketball player and celebrity
Thomas Edison, inventor
Grace Kelly, actress
Gryneth Paltrow, actress
David Duvall, golfer
Laura Bush, first lady [emphasis mine]
Bill Gates, software pioneer
Candice Bergen, actress
Clint Eastwood, actor/director
Charles Shulz, Peanuts cartoonist
Steve Martin, comedian/actor/writer
Harrison Ford, actor
Michele Pfeiffer, actress
Katherine Graham, late owner of Washington Post, author
A snippet from "The Introvert Advantage". Keep in mind that most of these people are self-proclaimed introverts. If you are interested in finding out if you are one, just google for an introvert-extrovert quiz, although if you really want to be sure, take the extra long quiz(es). And if you really want to go into the subject, read up on Carl Jung, who's right up there with Sigmund Freud and Alfred Addler in terms of psychological R&D.
And I'd hate to reply to my post, but I'm afraid by the time I post this it might be pretty far down the page.
You see, I was thinking something different. I was thinking that if Jimmy Carter was an introvert, then it might be a good thing we don't elect introverts.
He really is a nice guy and all but as a president, he was *the* definition of ineffective. The malaise comment, his belief that Americans should wear sweaters to conserve power (right or wrong, we won't and didn't), staying in the white house during the Iran hostage crisis, and plenty more should put the whole "most brainpower" issue to rest.
Tequila: It's not just for breakfast anymore!
Ever wondered why meeting people is easier when tipsy? It makes your brain shut up.
Typical extrovert thinking... "hey why don't you get drunk then you'd have fun just like me". I don't blame you for thinking that, an extrovert can't help it, they have no chance of understanding what makes an introvert tick because not only do we not care to spend the time to tell you, but you won't sit still long enough to hear it.
Here's the thing. Introverts don't want your kind of fun, we're quite happy doing our own thing, sitting down, talking quietly and thinking about stuff - that is what is fun for us, not mindless verbal diahhorea (sp?), getting drunk and hitting on anything with legs.
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Even though I am against spamming, I beg to differ on your request to ban someone from submitting articles. I know many users (examples: top ten submitters) who submit articles that are cohesive, thought out and in general good that also use their article author link to promote a site.
It seems to me that as long as the flow of the articles is coherent, insightful and fresh, this is what is important. Now yes, if every 1 out of 7 articles ever posted on slashdot was from this submitter than I would worry, but that is not the case here. The issue is on the quality of the articles, and not just based on who submits them. This is what it is about, correct? As Martin Luther King said
"a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character".
In this case, the submitters should be judged by quality of the articles they submit, not by what kind of author-link they have.
Taking this comment as a serious post for purposes of discussion.
...
Unlikely.
Speaking as an introvert (INTP), I don't assume that people think that I'm smart. I don't even necessarily think that I'm that smart.
What I do, and just about everyone that I know that is like me, is let my work speak for itself.
If people think I'm smart, super. If not, ok. I'll get the feedback and try to improve.
But, then again, define smart. What criteria are we using? Are we talking book smarts, street smarts,
So, basically, they figured out the same thing I was taught five years ago in college. It's explained by "Optimal Stimulation Theory." People have an optimal level of stimulation that they try to maintain. Introverts naturally have a higher level of internal stimulation, therefore they seek to reduce the amount of outside stimulation they receive in order to maintain their optimal stimulation level. Extroverts (and "sensation seekers") have a lower level of internal stimulation and therefore seek to increase the amount of external stimulation they receive in order to maintain their optimal stimulation level. So...what's new about this study?
I've actually never heard of introverts being regarded as slow. On the contrary, I tend to think them more intelligent. I believe it's because I don't hear a constant stream of stupidity flowing from their mouths (not to say that all extroverts are stupid, I just happen to meet more of them, which I believe is society induced). It seems the general trend is: don't hear uncensorted stupid thoughts, therefore smart (regardless of actual intelligence).
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I don't necessarily think its typical extrovert thinking at all.
I'm rather introverted, and for me it goes like this. Most of the time when I'm thinking about something I have an internal conversation with one of three distinct voices in my head. They often come to different conclusions. I mediate and come to a consensus. the short of this is that it's a lot of fucking talking going on in my head.
The other thing is that I tend to be obtuse - in social situations and be very analytical in public. This causes problems.... many people dont like to interact with someone they perceive might be smarter than they - it causes them to feel insecure. Also, many people tend to base their whole worldview on their opinions. So in what I might perceive as casual conversation ends up altering someone's world view unnecessarily... this tends to create uncomfortable conditions.
One or two drinks for me does the exact thing poster mentioned. When I drink... the other voices are quiet. They don't speak, and it's a very serene vacation from the pinball match that is my psyche. It also allows me to focus intently on more pertinent and prudent pursuits: getting laid. And getting laid is about listening and being what that chick wants right at that time.
Interestingly enough - an analogy. Marijuana is banned by the Olympic committee, even though it doesn't really give athletes an advantage. I ran track - and knew some athletes who smoked weed before meets. The reason: it takes the edge off. Being nervous and jumpy throws their rhythm off; and rhythm is everything when wins and losses are measured in the blink of an eye.
Alcohol works like that for me in a social environment. I usually get something mild or watered down - or get something strong and nurse it. Athletes call it being too keyed-up; I can imagine the equivalent exists for those who have strong cognitive faculties.
And while like you, I enjoy doing my own thing for the most part; I far more enjoy getting laid on a regular basis. You have to join the world to do this.
un burrito me trampeó.
From the slashdot article:
I consider myself introverted but I was always excellent applying technology and creating solutions that worked and usually exceeded expectations.
That "exceptional" technology skill got me invited to lots of decision-making and planning meetings and consortiums. But people often expressed afterwards (and sometimes even during) these sessions disappointment in my seemingly lack of participation or unwillingness to "speak up". I always apologized and explained I really couldn't find it in my constitution to say something unless I had something to say.
I usually found myself deep in thought about discussions ongoing but rarely found conclusions simple, even in seemingly simple scenarios. Overall I sometimes wonder how many dings I accumulated for that trait. (I will say, I did quite well for myself reputation-wise overall.)
Curiouser and curiouser.
I have lived in the USA and in other countries. The only place that I have seen in the world that being introverted or "thoughtful" is thought of as being weird or spooky is the USA. In other places in the world people who think about what they have to say, rather than spouting some clichés and dogma, which seems so common in the USA, are the ones who are respected. That certainly holds true of all the Canadians I've met.
Having said that, there are a lot of very intelligent and thoughtful people in the USA, and yes most of them aren't extroverts :P
So my point is not about how leaders and extroverts in the world are, just that thinking that introversion is a bad thing is probably likely to be a fairly US specific thing.
We don't believe in radical loony monotheistic religions from the middle east -- we're Christians.
My experience from a front page posting, is that the author link brings as little as 80 hits, not the flood that some might expect Slashdot to bring. Then again, my username has been around for years now and nearly everyone who would have visited it will have seen it by now...
:-D
I sure got a chuckle at the thought that the USA hasn't elected a president with higher brain activity since Carter
Saskboy's blog is good. 9 out of 10 dentists agree.
If we had followed Carter's incentive programs for alternative energy and conservation, maybe we wouldn't be so concerned with oil in the Middle East.
I was wondering what affect alcohol has on other introverts. I'm a classic introvert. The last time I took the Myers-Briggs test I was as far I as the test score would allow. In reading some of these other commments, I'm glad I'm not the only introvert that over analyzes *every* situation. Tone, inflection, exact words that people used. As stated above, one misstep can throw off my entire day because I'm worried about what other people think of me and if what I said sounded approprate or not.
In the above examples, I can see myself in every description of an introvert. However, before I go out I *always* predrink. Why? Because it turns me into an extrovert. I tried to go to a bar once with friends sober. I couldn't do it. I almost had a panic attack because there were so many people I didn't know and I felt extremely uncomfortable.
Now, I'm not talking about getting absolutely plastered and not remembering an evening. But after a bit of alcohol. I turn into a social butterfly (as my friends call it). I will talk to anyone about any subject in the bars. My ADHD truely comes out as I feel bad if I talk to one person for more than 5 minutes, because there are SO many people to talk to. My personality pulls a 180 and I will exhibit every one of the above extroverted traits.
I've known people, however, that alcohol has had the opposite effect on. The introverts become more introverted.
I was just wondering, Slashdot. How does a bit of alcohol affect your personality?
Unfortunately, you are not confined in your behavior and mannerisms like an introvert, thus, you cannot actually understand how an introverted perspective is viewed.
What the parent poster stated is accurate to an extreme degree.
Of the MANY conversations you have, EVERY DAY of EVERY WEEK, can you recall every conversation and connection you make in every one of those moments??
If you answered yes, you're lying. The human mind has not the capacity for such informational retrieval for such vast amounts of detail ALL the time.
If you answered no, at least your an honest extrovert. That being said, what have you gained for all those conversations other than pleased moments that passed the time?? Oh, some would call it networking. I call it social bullshit, but hey, thats how you like to kill your time. So hey, more power to you.
I have no problem boosting an author's Pagerank if his or her articles are good. This article is not. It falls into the category of "scientist discovers what psychologists have known for decades."
I don't know what it's like to be an extrovert, but I've been around a couple in my life. Conversation can really separate the one from the other--at least, that's what I've noticed.
Seems to me like extroverts _plan_ their conversations. They might be listening to you, sure, but on some deeper level they're busy thinking of what's coming next--or perhaps looking around to see who else is around they can draw into the conversation.
I'm an introvert. I don't like a lot of "change" in my conversations--new people cause repetition, get me off on tangents, or cause the subject to change prematurely. Extroverts plan as they go for this kind of stuff--"Hey, there's Bob. Bob knows Optics. I'll get him over here and see what he has to say." My reaction to Bob's presence--unless for some reason Bob is already part of the conversation--is, "Oh, it's Bob."
Unless I've planned well ahead of time, I'm so busy trying to come up with what to say _as I'm talking_ that I don't have much ability to map out my thoughts. Even when the other party is talking, I'm too busy pondering what _they_ are saying to think about what _I_ am going to say. I converse by inspiration: if the other party doesn't give me any good inroads to a new topic, I have a hard time holding up my end--unless I don't feel the need to pay attention because, for instance, I've heard a story before. Then I'm free to sit and think about what's been said.
If I had to guess at the main mental difference between extroverts and introverts, it would really be that the former can think off the cuff and get along, whereas we introverts are compelled to reflect and concentrate, whether or not we can get along by winging it.
Extroverts bubble; introverts stew.
Years ago I did get such an assessment. It was actually paid for by a company I had applied to. I didn't get the job but the agency wanted to discuss the report with me. Why? Because it said that I was in the top 2% of white collar workers for management aptitude but was more suited to a small company. That was 10 years ago and it was the best advice I ever got. I moved to a small company, was on the board after just a few months, did almost everything, then moved into consulting, still in a small company environment. I didn't get rich (though I am today a lot better off than if I had stayed in large corporates) but I have had a very interesting ten years doing stuff I enjoyed. I would recommend anyone unsure of their job path to get a professional assessment.
Pining for the fjords
Speak for yourself. I, for one, debate with myself, which is more efficient to dismiss incorrect opinions than discussing with other people, as they are more eager to prove themselves to have the biggest **** instead of finding out what is true.
Bill Gates is extrovert (ENTj) and Linux Torvalds is introvert (INTp - aka "Geek") - note that this two types are very similiar. Steve Jobs is ENTp so he is very diffrent. More info at http://www.socionics.com/
I think this could be the best /. thread ever. Successive American administrations have fucked up enormously when it comes to foreign policy, meddling in matters that they couldn't fix even if they tried to do the right thing for everyone, and basically being dirty rotten bastards.
The thing about the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan is that the Soviets would have been delighted to know the trouble that that would cause the decadent west as far into the future as 2005. Evil shits.
It's all Hitler's fault you know. Trace all of the ripples of trouble back through the century and where do you end up? Berlin 1945.
When the posters fear their moderators, there is tyranny; when the moderators fears the posters, there is liberty.
I work for a $30BLN company, and I can tell you hands down that while assholes certainly exist here, the vast majority of management and executive folks are really nice people. I've met a bunch of them and they seem to be just regular folks like you and me, just with the willingness to work 100 hours per week and travel all over heaven and creation constantly to make the gears keep turning. Yes, they do seem to have a component of "schmooze," but for the most part they are not that different from most of the other people I know. It takes a lot of cooperation and teamwork to keep the gears turning in a company this size, so there is little room for back stabbing.
We had a little incident last year where some of the middle management folks tried to cook the numbers to inflate their bonuses. They were summarily dismissed as soon as they were found out. Luckily it did not result in any criminal charges against the company, but their actions were not tolerated at all. Had they succeeded, the company would have mis-stated its earnings, which would have been BAD.
The entire Iran Contra affair as far as the "Iran" part, and the story you discussed was retracted by the New York Times, the paper that originally published it. It was completely insane, and required George Bush I to fly to Iran on an SR-71 as it was the only plane capable of getting there and back in time. Have you read the original story? Its a joke. Now, I have no doubt Reagan was selling weapons to the Contras, but so what! They were communists, and the president has that authority.
And Vietnam? What history are YOU reading? Vietnam was a Democrat war, like all wars of the 20th century save the Iraq wars. Nixon was the one who got us OUT of the war! Duh, why were the riots at the democratic national convention in 1968? Because of Johnson and vietnam!
As for Carter, his entire presidency was marked by double digit unemployment, inflation and interest rates. It was without a doubt, the worst time in American history since the depression. His presidency, by every reasonable measure, was a complete total failure and every year since has been remarkably better.
As usual, Carter and the democratic party was voted out of office because the American middle class was getting fucked, and making up all sorts of ridiculous stories like this does nothing to help your cause. You are the victim of the lies here jack, and unfortunately you just weren't alive when any of this happened so you don't know.
I don't read or respond to AC posts
Yeah, like Germany and Japan after WWII, they're alot worse off. Iraq looks like it's doing terribly too. I mean more infrastructure, schools, electrical power, people not dying for speaking their minds or voting their conscience. South Korea since the armistice. Yeah, they're all alot worse off, we Americans are terrible people.
ASCII a stupid question, get a stupid ANSI!
I'm a bit disappointed. I thought for sure that this post was a troll for comments about our current president's brain activity, or lack thereof. I'm always up for a good trouncing of President Bush and his administration. I guess I'll have to look elsewhere.
When Ronald Reagan became president I realized that many people in this country just don't trust intellectuals. They're more concerned, it would seem, about a president doing something evil rather than something stupid. One problem is that we have laws against doing something evil but there aren't any laws against doing something stupid. Stupid, like the new Medicare prescription drug program, you just have to live with.
"Meaningless!, Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless!"
I wonder what environment the test subjects were in when they measured their brain activity.
I think it is more likely that they were measured in a lab with not much social activity, than at a party.
i.e. In an environment where introverts work better.
Perhaps if they were measured in a social environment, the extroverts would do better.
bits and peace
Nicholas Daley