Being introverted usually means you prefer focusing on your inner world and the state of your mind instead of other people and the outer world. Representatives of this psychological type tend to be more reserved or withdrawn; they might prefer working individually instead of as a team.
Such common features often lead to a prevailing misconception that they don't like socializing. This is not true, as lots of them are happy to engage in social activities - however, they might be selective about them.
Because of the way the brain is wired, introverts and extraverts react differently to stimulating places with lots of people. It’s not that the former feel some sort of animosity towards them, they simply are not 'rewarded' the same way as extraverts are after socializing.
Psychology Today pointed out that because of the make-up of their nervous system, they produce less dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with reward, when participating in social gatherings.
Some introverted people take part in parties or large gatherings nevertheless. However, they might take some time to recharge their social battery after. They often need alone time to unwind, escape the stimulating environment, and process recent events. Not doing so can lead to feeling overwhelmed or irritated.
It is estimated that around 25% to 40% of the population are introverts. Even though each person is different, those sharing the same personality type might face similar problems. For introverts, they often include feeling the need to recharge the aforementioned social battery, finding the right environment or people for socializing, or even making a phone call.
Small talk can work as kryptonite for introverted people as well. Understandably so—when the percentage of your battery is getting low, the last thing you want to do is waste it talking about the weather. Introverts tend to dread it because it doesn’t lead to actually getting to know the person and seeing if there’s a way to form a deeper connection. Instead, they are draining themselves out discussing frivolous things.
According to the lecturer and the author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, Susan Cain, introverts have to deal with a certain social bias. In her TED talk, she pointed out that a lot of significant institutions, such as schools or workplaces, are mostly designed for extraverts. These places are highly stimulating and often require working in teams, which might be the less productive option for introverted individuals.
In her talk, Susan Cain also emphasized that the way to maximize people’s talents is to put them in the right zone of social stimulation. According to her, introverts feel best at quieter, low-key environments, which allow them to reach their full potential, while extraverts need way more stimulation.
Susan Krauss Whitbourne, a professor emerita of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, pointed out some situations that might help you determine whether you’re an introvert or not. Some include being the last one in the group to express your opinion, avoiding small talk, and using headphones to isolate yourself from the rest of the world.