Greater Good

While fully appreciating the research on social connectivity and its relationship to well being, it is important to be cautious about over generalizing.  You make a passing comment suggesting perhaps extroverts, like yourself, may be happier than introverts since “social connections are easier for them”. Quoting from Psychology Today piece, “There’s no clear answer to this question. Current tests consistently rate extroverts higher on the happiness scale than introverts. However, many of these tests measure degree of happiness using activities like socializing and interacting with the outside world, both of which extroverts need to thrive! Introverts do experience happiness when they around other people, but are most happy when participating in lower-key activities. These are not accounted for on current tests and likely causes introverts to score lower.” Whole article: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/thrive/201205/are-extroverts-happier-introverts

Also, this book, Quiet, very useful:  http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/about-the-book/

I realize it was just a tiny passing comment in the podcast, but felt it important to clarify/point this out in a culture that has idealized the extrovert style and under-valued the introvert in recent years.

Pam | 1:15 pm, November 9, 2012 | Link

I love this comment and think you’ve made a very
important point! Thank you for adding some of the
complexity of the issue, and not letting me just gloss
over it.

Warmly,
Christine

Christine Carter | 12:38 pm, November 12, 2012 | Link