Introverts seem to be getting a lot of attention recently.
We read a newspaper article about the advantages of being an introvert and discussed it in our last blog post, and we also read Bryan Walsh’s article “The Upside of Being an Introvert (and Why Extroverts Are Overrated)” in the February 6, 2012, issue of Time magazine.
At the end of his article, Walsh makes some interesting points about how “we can act out of character in the service of core personal goals.” It’s an idea that comes from Brian Little, a research psychologist at Harvard, who refers to it as the free-trait theory.
Basically, our inborn personality may be either introverted or extroverted. That’s our biogenic identity.
But, to get along in a family or at a party or on the job, we may have to make some adjustments in our biogenic identity and create a sociogenic identity.
Then, depending on what’s important to us—“our personal desires and our sense of what matters,” we can create an ideogenic identity.
Little, the Harvard professor who is another introvert, says that he could be comfortable never leaving the library. But he asks: “Am I going to strike out and change and grow and challenge? The answer depends on what you want out of life.”
We like Little’s theory about multiple identities. When we think about our multiple identities, we’re reminded that we can change and adapt.
Comments
13 responses to “Acting out of character”
I think your last point is right on — people should remember that they can change and adapt.
I think some people get stuck on labels and then use the labels to explain their behavior — “I can’t do that because I’m an extrovert” or “I can’t do that because I’m an introvert.”
~Mary
You’re exactly right, Mary. We all can adapt and change. Plus, most of us are not complete introverts or complete extroverts. We can be more introverted when it’s appropriate or more extroverted when it’s appropriate.
Joy
Really enjoyed this article.Much thanks again. Really Cool.
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this website.
I am hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from you later on as well.
In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very
own blog now 😉
It’s very trouble-free to find out any matter on web as compared to
textbooks, as I found this piece of writing at this
website.
excellent issues altogether, you just won a new reader. What could you recommend about yoursubmit that you made a few days ago? Any positive?
I was very pleased to uncover this web site. I wanted to thank you for your
time for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely loved every part of it and i also have you saved to fav to see new information in your
web site.
Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers?
I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on.
Any recommendations?
Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the web the easiest
thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people think about worries that they just don’t know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal.
Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keepit up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later.All the best
Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the net the simplest
thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while
people consider worries that they plainly do not know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without
having side effect , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more.
Thanks
to say thank you for a remarkable post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design),
Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thanks, However I am having troubles with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody having similar RSS issues? Anyone that knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanx!