What Are the Different Types of Introverts?

Who is an introvert? What characteristics according to you qualify you to be an introvert? We often call a shy or quiet person an introvert. Over the years, we have just been following one generic definition of an introvert not considering the fact that there are different layers to introversion.

The spectrum of introversion and extroversion is one aspect of an individual’s personality. There is a scale ranging from introversion to ambiversion to extroversion. One’s personality is defined by wherever an individual lies on this scale.

In layman’s language, extroverts are the outgoing ones, extroverts are the shy/quiet ones and ambiverts are the ones who have the best of both worlds, they strike the middle ground. Now, within the scale, there is a range for each of the three main categories.

That range divides one category into different layers. Introverts are of different types because human nature can’t be pinpointed, there is always going to be a range. Today, we are going to talk about that range of introverts…

But first, let’s understand introverts better…

What Is Introversion? Who Is An Introvert?

Carl Jung first introduced the concept of introverts and extroverts in the early 1900s. According to him, introverted people like to keep to themselves, and extroverted people are more outgoing and look forward to socializing.

Jung identified the very concept of personality based on one’s ability to manage social energy and how one chooses to recharge themselves after being in social engagements. You either spend a lot of energy socializing and need a long time to recharge or socializing is not that exhausting and not much recharging is required.

According to this concept, introverts are the ones who need some alone time to simply get their energy back. It takes a lot of effort for an introvert to indulge in social engagements therefore it is very exhausting for an introvert.

Now, the amount of exhaustion and the amount of energy that has to be regained completely depends on how much of an introvert you are. The range of introversion comes into play here. One can fall anywhere in this range of introversion and to make it simple introversion was divided into categories.

Also Read: Can You Have Social Anxiety And Be An Extrovert?

Let’s look at the different types of introverts and how you can identify what type of introvert you are…

What Are The 4 Types Of Introverts?

Carl Jung introduced us to introverts and extroverts but he is not one who discovered the layers of each personality type. Many years after Carl Jung’s research, Jennifer Grimes, Jonathan Cheek, and Julie Norem conducted research and divided introverts into 4 different types.

Let’s have a look at the 4 types of introverts and their signs;

1. Social Introverts: these people are not very shy and they like small social gatherings. Social introverts choose to keep to themselves and also socialize when need be. They do not completely dislike socializing but refer to spending time alone.

Signs you’re a social introvert;

• Prefer small intimate gatherings
• Choose solo trips/dates over family/friends trips or dates
• Choose alone time to recharge themselves
• Accept social invites (might or might not show up)

2. Thinking introverts: these people are more cognitively inclined, they are daydreamers. Thinking introverts are the ones who like spending a lot of time expanding their cognitive abilities like reading, writing, studying, researching, investigating, etc.

Signs you’re a thinking introvert;

• More introspective in nature
• Excited about activities that challenge their mental abilities
• Always think before acting
• High sense of self-awareness

3. Anxious introverts: these people feel very awkward and shy around people. They like spending time alone because socializing makes them feel uncomfortable and anxious. They will stay alone because socializing is not their cup of tea.

Signs you’re an anxious introvert;

• Feel nervous in social situations
• Appear highly avoidant and rude when asked to socialize
• Try to avoid social interactions at all cost

4. Restrained introverts: these people like to keep to themselves and avoid other people until they get to know them. Restrained introverts always have guards up and allow only a few people to enter their protected space. They socialize with only a selected group of people.

Signs you’re a restrained introvert;

• They move at a slower pace while doing things
• They enjoy only known and predictable activities (hate surprises)
• Fail to express emotions

That’s All Folks!

Now that you know all about the range of introverts and the different types of introverts, I hope it’s easier for you to understand your personality and the people around you. Each type of introvert has its characteristics that are different from the other.

Barring the general common signs of an introvert, these types of introverts have different signs. Keep a note of the different signs of different types of introverts so that you can identify which one you are.

I hope this blog helps you understand the different types of introverts and how you can identify what kind of introvert you are. Do share this blog with your friends and family so that we all know what type of introvert you are.

Thanks for reading.

Take care and stay safe.