Reviews: Books on Introverts
Quiet by Susan Cain and The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney. March 2013.
After I wrote a couple articles on introverts—from one about introverted executives to one about confidence and introversion—I received recommendations for books that examine the temperament. (Love it! After all, I’ve already come out as a reader.)
As many personality tests as I’ve taken, I’d never read a book dedicated to introversion.
Why not?
First, let’s define:
Introverts pull energy from internal worlds of ideas, thoughts, and impressions. Extroverts recharge through interaction. Both temperaments may enjoy a party; afterward, introverts feel exhausted and extroverts feel hyped.
Research—including tests that monitor brain patterns though fMRI—confirm the validity of introversion. Introversion is not purely theoretical or a psychobabble construction.
Biological and psychological tests repeatedly verify that introversion is “baked in”—in other words, genetic. Introverts don’t “get over it.”
Introversion is not shyness or social anxiety—traits that some people can overcome if they choose. (The shy kid of my childhood? Gone.)
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking
Recounting extensive research, including conversations with experts and introverts, Susan Cain validated my lifelong impressions about introversion and brought other details about my temperament to light—quirks I thought were “just me.” (Guess I'm not as unique as I thought.)
Examples? I have an extremely strong conscience and have trouble with violence and injustice—moreso, I've noticed, than others. I’m squeamish. My mother tells how I would cry in alarm when people peered into my stroller.
Turns out that many introverts are similarly “highly sensitive,” a technical psychological term.
An empowering read, Cain’s book highlights what introverted temperaments bring to the table that society shouldn’t ignore or undervalue, while giving introverted readers tips on maximizing their temperaments and extroverted readers guidance on valuing the introverted among them.
The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World
The Introvert Advantage confirms much of Cain’s text, although Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D., goes deeper into the biological differences of each temperament, including illustrations and diagrams. Also, as a clinician, her book is primarily prescriptive: She provides step-by-step adaptations for thriving in a culture that prizes extroversion.
Interestingly, I’d developed many of the tactics Laney outlines, including allowing myself to leave after short social-event appearances and scheduling recharging downtime just like I do other appointments. Yet her book did provide new arrows for my quiver.
However, Laney makes introversion seem like a developmental disability—even while she cites research that links introversion and higher intelligence. She calls introverted minds "slow," for example. And some of her advice overly hand-holds, as though introverts may fall apart at any moment and introversion is something they need to deal with—rather than enjoy and appreciate.
Verdicts and Final Thoughts
Indicators point to a world two-thirds composed of extroverts. In addition, our society lionizes the extroverted temperament. Introverts can feel sidelined and alienated.
For introverts, Cain and Laney's books will prove highly reassuring and validating. They're must-reads.
For extroverts who love an introvert or need to interact with one (for work, say), Quiet will help you better understand and interact with the introverts among you—without Laney’s how-to tips for people who have the temperament, which you don’t need.
Get reading!