Whatever kind of introvert you are, some people will find you 'too much' in some ways and 'not enough' in others.

Whatever kind of introvert you are, some people will find you 'too much' in some ways and 'not enough' in others.

A shy kid might look longingly at other kids playing in the schoolyard, afraid and unsure about how to approach them, but an introvert is perfectly content on her own.

An extrovert is more likely to share immediate reactions and process information through conversation.

Extroverts are more attuned to social rewards, so they are more likely to flash a smile for effect. A notable exception are introverts - like me - whom I call "socially accessible" introverts. We have been trained well to smile and nod, which can place a burden on our processing efforts.

Introverts are collectors of thoughts, and solitude is where the collection is curated and rearranged to make sense of the present and future.

An introvert may feel asocial when pressured to go to a party that doesn't interest her. But for her, the event does not promise meaningful interaction. In fact, she knows that the party will leave her feeling more alone and alienated.