Introverts. People who are often labelled as shy, a term coined
following the work on personality types by German psychologist, Carl
Jung, in 1921. But introversion is much misunderstood. Introverts
recharge their
batteries by being alone whereas extroverts are the opposite and crave
crowds. Emerging research on the biochemistry of the brain indicates
that the neurotransmitter dopamine – the chemical released that provides
motivation to seek rewards, is much more active for extroverts than for
introverts. According to Phd and introvert researcher, Lisa Kaenzig,
introverts are much less valued today than they used to be. In the past,
some of the world’s most renowned thinkers, religious leaders,
philosophers and writers were held in the highest esteem – many of them
were working alone and were at their most creative in solitary study.
However, she is part of a growing movement which is challenging a
seeming bias in favour of the extrovert – for the person who talks first
in meetings and makes off-the-cuff remarks and who may shout the
loudest to get their ideas heard. The growth of the open plan office,
group thinking and collaborative learning are all enemies to the
introvert, but in recommendations by Dr Peter Aloka – a Kenyan
psychologist who has been studying introvert teenage mothers in Bondo,
the answers lie in teaming introverts up with extroverts and calling
upon introverts to present group findings and allowing extra think time
in response to questions. Where do you lie on the introvert/extrovert
scale or are you in the middle – an ambivert? If you are an introvert,
you’re in very good company; Barack Obama, Rosa Parks, JK Rowling and
many more eminent and thoughtful people are introverts.
Listen to the programme
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