Those gifted with an extreme introversion set point, or a tendency towards introversion, in general, have a naturally “awake” brain and, therefore, need little external stimulus to be happy.

Below is a list of some of the main characteristics that are connected to a naturally wide awake, self-stimulated brain.

• Not the same as being shy. Shyness is connected more to a lack of self-confidence or low self-esteem. Introverts can suffer from this if they are not validated or their gifts not honored by key people in their lives.
• Seeks low stimulus environments; they can easily be overwhelmed in high stimulus situations.
• They tend to be non-competitive. However, if their BQD[1] is competitive, they may be competitive in quiet sports, like chess.
• They have very internally focused thinking. Preferring to quietly sit and process; maybe even experiencing difficulty explaining themselves, if they are put on the spot.
• Introverts will take in large amounts of data every second. This is due to the big open view they have on things. Like the wide open aperture of a camera in Arlene Taylor’s metaphor, it allows them to pull in a lot of details from their environment.
• They will definitely be more sensitive to stimuli, especially in their natural sensory preference.
• They will prefer quiet, out-of-the-way places that are limited in the amount of external stimulus.
• May have higher blood flow to the portions of brain connected to arousal, causing the low need for external input.
• May have higher levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine; this neurotransmitter influences our alertness level.
• Their performance will most likely decrease with distraction. Again, overstimulation will cause a shut-down.
• Introverts are naturally self-sufficient; they may limit their interaction with people. Understand that it is not that introverts do not like or care for people, it is just that too many people can provide too much stimulation. They may prefer the small groups or on-on-one activity.
• Because impulsive behavior can result in the unknown and the unknown could be way too much stimulation, they tend to be less impulsive, more controlled, and more of a pre-planner.
• They will be more conservative and suspicious of novelty. Again, the result of not being conservative could be over-stimulation.
• They may prefer quieter music; especially the auditory introvert.
• Tends to avoid risk.
• Smoking is less common. Smoking tends to be a social function and introverts may avoid these types of situations.
• As babies, they may not want to be held a lot. They are the babies that are fine being placed in their beds to fall asleep alone. They may want to always be at home in a quiet environment; too much noise or too many people passing them around can cause them to be fussy.
• At work, prefers being alone or in quiet. They are great for jobs that limit their interaction with other people. A quiet cubicle, a solitary file room, or a slower paced watch-and-observe type job will suit them well. (Keep in mind the other BQD overlays)
• Because of their desire to be alone, they may often feel that they don’t fit in. Not understanding their own BPC can put them at a higher risk of depression.
• Due to the high stimulus of being in the middle of activity, they prefer to watch and not get involved.
• They will find happiness in reading or quiet hobbies.
• While it may seem strange to some of the population, they will often times be more comfortable alone: quiet walks alone, going to a quiet restaurant alone, watching movies alone.
• May feel like a “misfit” because 85% of the population may not understand them and they feel they just don’t fit in.
• Tend to require higher doses of pain medication or sedatives.
• May have better long term memory; although, if over stimulated, have more difficulty recalling.
• Excels in tasks requiring focused lengthy attention. The introvert will immensely enjoy puzzles that would easily bore an extrovert.
• Introverts can literally become sick if they push themselves to repeatedly or regularly function in high stress/high stimulus environments.

I often relate the impact this information had on my family when I first learned it. You see I come from a large family with 4 sisters. Often, we will get together (4 sisters, mom, and 2 nieces) and have a weekend of fun and games. It would always happen that one of my sisters, after a game or two, would stop playing and retreat into a corner. Frustrated, the rest of us would try to encourage her to return, but to no avail. Rolling our eyes, we would lament that she was such a kill-joy! Then came the information on the BPC, and WOW, did I feel bad. In reality she is just an introvert. It had nothing to do with her not wanting to be involved; it was simply because her brain had hit its overload level of stimulation and it was time for her to back away.

This leads me to the next part: The negative pejoratives, or titles, that are often attached to the introverts. When helping people understand this part of the BPC it is important that we help them reflect on terms they may have used, or feel are connected to themselves, and help make the adjustments.

Negative terms or pejoratives:

• Too quiet
• Loners
• Shy
• Stuck up
• Scaredy-cats
• Too conservative
• Not a team player
• Moody
• Strange

If you feel, or a person you are working with feels, that these are titles attached to them, it is important that you help them to make adjustments in their self-perception. Also, you will need to validate this portion of their BPC and honor their need for a low stimulus environment. In honoring the introvert make sure that you:

• Avoid putting them on the spot in large crowds.
• Allow them to just observe.
• If they become over-stimulated, respect their need to withdraw.
• If you are meeting with them in a business setting, choose your meeting place wisely: one that is quiet and has little external stimulation. Keep the meetings on the shorter side, so as not to overwhelm them.
• Arrange for one-to-one meetings and not groups.
• Make allowances for phone and teleconference type meetings, so they can remain in an environment they are comfortable in.

Once a person understands where they fall on this scale, it will help them make wise choices in their personal and professional life. With that in mind, some good career choices that might match the more introverted brain would be[2]:

• Research
• Investigation
• Decorating
• Accounting
• One-to-one counseling
• Bookkeeping
• Data-entry
• Design
• Computer programming
• Writing
• Philosophy
• Data analysis
• Animal care
• Independent work, better to be a source of information than a boss.

In review, the introvert has a naturally high level of brain alertness and, therefore, needs little external stimulus. They will take in more data second-for-second; and, too much stimulus will be a data overload. To protect their brain from over-stimulation, they will lean towards quiet, low stimulus, non-combative and non-competitive situations and life styles.
Now, on to the extroverts…

[1] Brain Quadrant Dominance
[2] Keep in mind that the BQD will have a large impact on the type a career that fits, as well.

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