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guslIn Bias Against Introverts, Robin Hanson links to an interesting study:
Love, work, and changes in extraversion and neuroticism over time
In Brazil, I am sometimes considered somewhat of an introvert, believe it or not. Besides the obvious difference in cultural standards, this could partly be explained by the same reason that Robin became extroverted as he got older:
I don't know many nerds in Brazil. Neither do they, for the most part. ...which leads to conformism, and denying one's nerdity: the opposite effect of what you observe at our cluster at CMU.
This is not so much because there aren't many nerds in Brazil, but rather because the social dynamics is such that social groups in the US are more stratified. Cliques there aren't what they are here: just look at Orkut, where every Brazilian claims to have hundreds of friends. Everyone socializes with everyone (except across socioeconomic classes), which leads to more conformity on average (and less solidarity among freaks).
ADDENDUM:
Another related fact is that most people live their whole lives in the place where they grow up (as in Europe). Many people hang out with the same friends they had when they were in primary school. As a result, there is little need for special-interest clubs, which would be another potential source of cliques.
As a side-effect of this social melting-pot, it becomes hard to tell geeks apart from non-geeks, for two reasons: (1) Brazilian geeks can try to dress extra-nicely in order to compensate (2) when trying to identify whether someone is a geek, we often rely on people they are surrounded by. This Gestalt effect disappears when people mix well. This, in turn, makes it harder for geeks to meet other geeks, and makes it hard for a geek subculture to emerge.
In the US, the stock character of The Geek probably lies somewhere in between The Freak and The A-Student. In Brazil it's much closer to the latter, maybe because freaks are very rare.
Love, work, and changes in extraversion and neuroticism over time
The present study examined individual differences in change in extraversion, neuroticism, and work and relationship satisfaction. Of particular interest were the correlations between changes. Data were from the Victorian Quality of Life Panel Study (B. Headey & A. Wearing, 1989, 1992), in which an overall 1,130 individuals participated (ages 16 to 70). Respondents were assessed every 2 years from 1981 to 1989. Four major findings emerged. (a) There were significant individual differences in changes in extraversion and neuroticism. (b) Change was not limited to young adulthood. (c) Development was systematic in that increased work and relationship satisfaction was associated with decreases in neuroticism and increases in extraversion over time; on average, the magnitude of the relation between changes in work and relationship satisfaction and traits was .40. (d) Cross-lagged models indicated traits had a greater influence on role satisfaction; however, marginal support emerged for work satisfaction leading to increased extraversion. Implications of correlated change are discussed. (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved.
In Brazil, I am sometimes considered somewhat of an introvert, believe it or not. Besides the obvious difference in cultural standards, this could partly be explained by the same reason that Robin became extroverted as he got older:
I was a shy young nerd and thought I was an introvert, but eventually learned that I was reacting to the fact that other people didn't like to be around me. Once I found people who liked to be around me, I loved to be around them too, and was often the last person to leave from a party.
I don't know many nerds in Brazil. Neither do they, for the most part. ...which leads to conformism, and denying one's nerdity: the opposite effect of what you observe at our cluster at CMU.
This is not so much because there aren't many nerds in Brazil, but rather because the social dynamics is such that social groups in the US are more stratified. Cliques there aren't what they are here: just look at Orkut, where every Brazilian claims to have hundreds of friends. Everyone socializes with everyone (except across socioeconomic classes), which leads to more conformity on average (and less solidarity among freaks).
ADDENDUM:
Another related fact is that most people live their whole lives in the place where they grow up (as in Europe). Many people hang out with the same friends they had when they were in primary school. As a result, there is little need for special-interest clubs, which would be another potential source of cliques.
As a side-effect of this social melting-pot, it becomes hard to tell geeks apart from non-geeks, for two reasons: (1) Brazilian geeks can try to dress extra-nicely in order to compensate (2) when trying to identify whether someone is a geek, we often rely on people they are surrounded by. This Gestalt effect disappears when people mix well. This, in turn, makes it harder for geeks to meet other geeks, and makes it hard for a geek subculture to emerge.
In the US, the stock character of The Geek probably lies somewhere in between The Freak and The A-Student. In Brazil it's much closer to the latter, maybe because freaks are very rare.
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Worth Exploring
Date: 2007-03-11 01:13 pm (UTC)Re: Worth Exploring
Date: 2007-03-12 06:09 am (UTC)I would like to get some data on friendship networks in Brazil vs USA. I can't think of any other way to explore.
Re: Worth Exploring
Date: 2007-03-12 10:28 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-12 05:29 pm (UTC)I think there are two kinds of quiet people:
true introverts
shy people
The true introverts do not feel energized by other people, they feel drained. The shy ones however might want to feel comfortable putting themselves out there, but they're inhibited.
I'm sure when a shy person becomes less shy it's a sign of greater happiness.
But I've come to know my introvert partner enough to know that being more extroverted is not gonna be a sign of him being more pleased with his life. I'm of the mind that there is a lot of introvert bias. As I come to know more introverts, I see that the common opinion is wrong. Not all introverts are shy and to act as though their introversion is a kind of pathology is sometimes unkind and often annoying.