Why are introverts perceived to be less intelligent, even stupid by our American

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   gmwilliamsposted 8 years ago

   Why are introverts perceived to be less intelligent, even stupid by our American extroverted
   
   culture & society?
   
   

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   Besarienposted 8 years ago

   I don't know. I always assume people who are quiet are probably smarter than me. People certainly learn a lot more when they listen instead of talking all the time.

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   LoliHeyposted 8 years ago

   I guess because they are quiet and outgoing people don't understand them.

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   dashingscorpioposted 8 years ago

   
   
   Very few professions allow one to rise to the top of their field without interacting with others whether it is for networking purposes, selling, or managing them. Observe any class or work project that is broken down into groups for an assignment.
   One person usually (takes the lead) making suggestions right off the bat. Others jump in to tweak that idea and the introvert offers nothing.
   Generally what happens is the leader/project manager of the group {gives them an assignment}. If one does not speak up or make contributions during the decision making process (the perception) is they aren't  sharp. Essentially they are "dead weight" or a spectator.

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      Efficient Adminposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Good point. A manager may need to ask the introvert for input. I work for an engineering firm and most of the engineers are highly specialized, and introverts. They don't talk unless you ask them for input.

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      gmwilliamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      It ALL depends.  At one of my jobs, there was a person who was always THE FIRST for input; however,she was deemed stupid.While I hardly stated anything,the plumb assignments ALWAYS went to me.The supervisor informed me that I was THE SMARTEST one!

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      dashingscorpioposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I hear you Grace!
      Unfortunately the "perception" a lot of people still have is introverts keep quiet because they either don't know anything or they're not "driven".
      Many people simply "dismiss" introverts or treat them as if they're "invisible".

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   cheaptrickposted 8 years ago

   Where do you get your energy?That determines whether you're an 'inny' or an 'outy'.If you feel energised when you're around people,you're probably an extrovert.If you need alone time or solitude to 'recharge' yourself,you're probably an introvert...shy or self confident is another matter.
   Some extroverts are very shy but enjoy being around people.Some introverts are out going but must have alone time.Most of us are a mix of both depending on circumstance.
   Being judgmental about inteligence without a thorough conversation is self condemnation.Nothing swims in a shallow mind...no matter how attractive the water may be.

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      ChristinSposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Love this answer.  It's a common belief that all introverts are shy or insecure somehow and that isn't the case.  I can hold conversations with strangers - if I must, lol, but I prefer a lot of solitude with little bits of people time

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   brakel2posted 8 years ago

   Introverts can be hard to figure out. I know more introverts than extroverts and often like them better. I get to know them and their personalities, and they are good listeners. Extroverts may perceive them to be less intelligent, because they do not take time to understand them, and some may feel that their group will look down on them for the same reasons..A guy I know broke up with his girl for these reasons, so this answer has a little credibility,

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   ValKarasposted 8 years ago

   I believe it's all stemming from our inherent tendency to mock those who are in some apparent, or only imagined way different from us. That's how we got racism, and that's why we make jokes about blondes' intelligence. We just have this need to see something "wrong" about those who don't look, behave, or reason like us.
   
   I'd like to see a person who feels called upon to set norms about what is "normal" when it's about extroverts and introverts. We all have our mind styles and life styles, our tastes and preferences, and there are no existing "standards" about them.
   
   A person with a meditative and intellectual nature who also loves classical music  -  probably appears "weird" to a highly intelligent(?) dude who thrives on "heavy metal", beer, partying, and sports. And the opposite must be just as true. Maybe some day, this world will see some meaning in that saying :"To each his own". Who knows, maybe to the point that racism, religious wars, and other similar idiocies disappear from our style of coexisting.
   
   In this meantime, let's be glad that extroverts didn't escalate their criticism about introverts to the level of a hate.

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   Efficient Adminposted 8 years ago

   Introverts do not typically engage in fluff and glitter talk like extroverts do.  Introverts need to engage in conversation that has meaning and substance, and it needs to go somewhere.  Extroverts can talk ten minutes straight and not say a thing, so if an introvert is not witty with bantering, the extrovert may possibly, mistakenly, believe the introvert not as smart as they are.
   Extroverts believe introverts don't like them and introverts think extroverts are flaky and shallow.  Most of the time neither is true and it is helpful for all people to understand personality differences and also generational differences.

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      dashingscorpioposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent point. Both introverts and extroverts are more comfortable with those who are like them. Some folks view introverts as being arrogant, standoffish, passive, untrustworthy or boring in (social gatherings).
      Most times it's just shyness.

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      Efficient Adminposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I have seen Extroverts that came across as arrogant and untrustworthy.  I consider myself an introvert and one time was called boring LOL.  I have learned to speak up when needed but do like my quiet time to myself.

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      gmwilliamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I have seen extroverts being totally bombastic,even inconsiderate of others. They believe in the premise of talking aimlessly,seeking attention.Many extroverts believe that they are smart-this is until they communicate.Then all the mystery is...GONE.

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      ChristinSposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I'm introverted and I disagree with being "shy". I'm not shy at all I'm just not interested in small talk and being loud etc. but I don't consider myself "shy" either.  I'm confident, just prefer to keep my own company or with a few I know well.

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   lisavollrathposted 8 years ago

   Are we really perceived as less intelligent? Because I'm an introvert, and that's not the feedback I get. Anti-social, yes. Stand-offish, yes. Quiet, yes. But stupid? Never! In fact, I'm often acknowledged as the smartest, or the cleverest, person in the room.
   
   I think most introverts are less likely to sing their own praises, but I don't think most people think we're stupid.
   
   I will say that it's harder for us to interact with others, so communication is sometimes difficult. I work at home, for myself now, but when I was in corporate America, an HR person sent me to a class on how to communicate with others better, and that REALLY helped. I was skipping over all the "hi, how are you, how was your weekend" stuff with my team, and getting straight to business. When I learned to add that social stuff first, everyone was much happier.

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      gmwilliamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Unfortunately, we introverts are perceived as less intelligent because we don't rabble on in conversation.  Many people perceive quiet & introverted people that way.  When we reveal how much we know, they are surprised that we actually know so mu

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      ActionForEarthposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Agree with you. Introverts like us prefer listening, to talking. We will listen, and think. And, we only like to speak, when we actually think that it is something worthwhile to say.

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      ChristinSposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      My experience mirrors yours pretty much to a T Lisa.  I'm perceived as being smart, but kind of distant or antisocial by many.  The ones who were annoyed by my lack of small talk never thought I was stupid, just quiet and to myself.

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    Shyron E Shenkoposted 8 years ago

    Grace, this is a great question.
    I don't think that extroverts per-se think that introverts are stupid/less intelligent.  Extroverts don't understand why everyone is not as outgoing/confident as they are.
    Most people would probably consider me an introvert, because I listen more than I talk, but I am neither.
    But, it is okay if people think I am an introvert/extrovert I do not mind
    People who label anyone else either an introvert/extrovert underestimates the other person.  I think that many extroverts force themselves to be extroverted to cover some insecurities and some introverts are quiet because they don't want to be seen as extroverts or the other way round.
    I do think I would rather be an introvert than an extrovert.

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    ActionForEarthposted 8 years ago

    Classing all introverts the same, is like classing all extroverts the same. Introverts have all different types of personality. We're just not loud, or in your face about it. Perhaps introverts are seen as less intelligent because we don't talk as much, and are not on the surface like extroverts.
    
    It takes time to get to know introverts, but when you do, you realize that usually, they have a lot more knowledge than extroverts. The introvert it the room might not say much, or anything, but they listen, and pay attention to everything.

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