Atheists, are you introverted or extroverted?
For a long time people that know me have been telling me they think I may suffer from depression and/or anxiety. So much so that I began to believe it. I am still somewhat open to the possibility, but my position on the matter is: so what? I'm not hurting anyone. I'm certainly not going to alter my body chemistry just because it doesn't match what is "normal". Where would evolution have gone if all species could change themselves back to "normal"?
Last night I read this article about shyness, introversion, and social anxiety. It confirmed many of my thoughts on the matter, and got me to research introversion more. Before, I had been aware of the general idea of introversion/extroversion (never studied psychology that much), but I did not know that it could be such a specific and pervasive behavioral trait. After much reading I found that on the introvert/extrovert scale, I'm about as introverted as you could possibly get.
Anyway, in the article the author references Winifred Gallagher: “The glory of the disposition that stops to consider stimuli rather than rushing to engage with them is its long association with intellectual and artistic achievement." It got me thinking about religion. Are introverts more likely to analyze the inconsistencies and problems with religion before (or even after) committing to one? How many atheists are introverts?
So, do you consider yourself more introverted than extroverted? A poll would be awesome, but I don't see an option to add one.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Araina on -
I am very introverted because I grew up as a Jehovah's Witnesses and wasn't allow to associate with other kids. There was a time when I was almost mute with anxiety and didn't speak much at all. I have the ability to be very friendly too, if someone else opens up to me first i open up wide.
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Permalink Reply by Okinawa R. on -
introvert, in a way that..most of the time i dont initiate conversation with other especially stranger without reason, i'm not fond of parties or crowded places, i have small group of friends..tho am extrovert when i'm in my comfort area..i think...
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Permalink Reply by Chris on -
I honestly don't know. I have been shy, but I see that as self conceit more than true introversion. But I have also been fond of putting on a show. The safety of a stage, I suppose. I do suffer from depression, though, and that has manifested itself in ways that might seem counter-intuitive - mainly anger issues. I have wondered if this contributed to my skepticism, but my atheism essentially manifested after I started getting help.
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Permalink Reply by Jessica Gibson on -
I'm an introvert. I became interested in this a while ago, and found out what I was.
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Permalink Reply by Michael on -
Definitely introverted, frequently depressed, not really anxious, used to be more shy than I am now. I second your view on this Erik. I have my reasons to be depressed. It can be perfectly rational I feel. Aside from that, I think in my case being introverted certainly led me to question religion, along with many other things. Most of each day I'm alone with my thoughts. So I'm always churning over something or other up there, politics and ethics these days usually.
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Permalink Reply by Dave Gibbs on -
Very introvert.
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Permalink Reply by Ronald on -
I'm definitely more introverted. I have been for my whole life. I've been trying to break out of being shy, but sometimes it seems too unnatural to me
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Permalink Reply by Brian Wood on -
I used to be shy when I was a boy, but I overcompensated by becoming a loud, often obnoxious and drunken asshole.
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Permalink Reply by Mo Trauen on -
I am more introverted than extroverted. I have found that extroverts are obsessed with what others think of them. That is something that I have never understood and don't like.
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Permalink Reply by Arcus on -
External recognition of achievements is the only true form of self reality check of correctness and validation of assumptions. It's why extroverts seek it external recognition for internal accomplishments.
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Permalink Reply by Aaron LaBrash on -
Being an introvert was always something I really didn't know how to feel about, and I felt like it held me back from meaningful social interactions with people. I'm an easy to talk to person, but I just always felt like there was just some social gene I didn't have... until I read this http://jerrybrito.org/post/6114304704/top-ten-myths-about-introverts
It was a great article and really helped me feel better about myself, even if it is a bit general.
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