Test of the day

Susan Cain's book about introverts is getting more and more attention. As a true introvert, I find this rather gratifying.

Here is an interesting test which accompanied an excerpt from the book in one of the papers today. Remember that it is generally agreed that introversion is graded on a curve. I scored 17 out of 20, which is pretty curvy. Oddly, even though one of the points of the book is that society is geared for extroverts, I have always felt oddly proud of my introversion. (Which should not be confused with shyness.) I have no idea why this is, since it was born in me, and is not my own work.

1. I prefer one-on-one conversations to group activities.
2. I often prefer to express myself in writing.
3. I enjoy solitude.
4. I seem to care less than my peers about wealth, fame and status.
5. I dislike small talk but I enjoy talking in depth about topics that matter to me.
6. People tell me that I’m a good listener.
7. I’m not a big risk taker.
8. I enjoy work that allows me to dive in with few interruptions.
9. People describe me as soft-spoken or mellow.
10. I prefer not to show my work or discuss it with others until it is finished.
11. I like to celebrate birthdays on a small scale with only one or two close friends or family members.
12. I dislike conflict.
13. I do my best work alone.
14. I tend to think before I speak.
15. I feel drained after being out and about, even if I’ve enjoyed myself.
16. I often let calls go to voicemail.
17. I’d prefer a weekend with nothing to do to one with too many things scheduled.
18. I don’t enjoy multi-tasking.
19. I concentrate easily.
20. In classrooms, I prefer lectures to seminars.

The more true answers you have, the more likely you are to be introverted.

 

Picture found on the Quiet Girl, Loud City blog.