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Distinguishing I from repressed E

Mycroft

The elder Holmes
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For the personality matrices buffs out there (and anyone else interested in speculating), something I've wondered about: how would you distinguish between an introvert and a repressed extravert?
 

Sahara

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Good question, I sometimes wonder if I am a respressed extravert, so I will be interested hearing how you differentiate. :) (I have no idea of course)
 

Natrushka

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Would a repressed extravert need "recharge / alone / me" time?
 

Mycroft

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Sure; even extraverts need alone time.
 

Economica

Dhampyr
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Would a repressed extravert need "recharge / alone / me" time?

Yes.

I have a female friend who really is an MBTI anomaly behavior-wise. If pressed (and I pretty much press myself on this score due to my belief in MBTI), I'd classify her as an ENTJ, but she behaves very, very I and needs lots of alone time. Of course she has issues. I have faith that when she has worked them out, she will be a very well-rounded ENTJ. :)
 

Athenian200

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Good question. I don't have any ideas I would trust, having only Ni and Fe to go on, but here's one anyway:

I think that a repressed extravert would feel a sense of mild depression at being alone all the time, but feel powerless to change their situation, and grow accustomed to it. A true introvert would actually work to preserve their isolation.
 

Mycroft

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Good question. I don't have any ideas I would trust, having only Ni and Fe to go on, but here's one anyway:

I think that a repressed extravert would feel a sense of mild depression at being alone all the time, but feel powerless to change their situation, and grow accustomed to it. A true introvert would actually work to preserve their isolation.

I agree, but even introverts get lonely. (Believe it or not.)
 

Natrushka

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Sure; even extraverts need alone time.

I should have been more specific. Time alone during which they recharge to be able to deal with everyday life again. Is that not the main difference between the two?

Introverts = time alone recharges batteries.
Extraverts = time surrounded by others recharges batteries.
 

Blackwater

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repressed E's gain momentum as they hear themselves talk, free associating while their word is out in the open


true I's need miniature pockets of I-time when confronted with difficult questions, even if they just came from solitude.
 

FDG

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I find myself going through periods of solitude sometimes, but I don't mind them - there are many questions that arise during my moments of high sociability, and introspection is needed in order to deal with them appropriately. Of course I need stimulation even during those times.
 

heart

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I would think it would be the energy factor, even if you are timid and shy, if you get energized being around people, sounds more E, if you feel drained after being around people and need time alone to recharge, then more I.
 

Siúil a Rúin

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I should have been more specific. Time alone during which they recharge to be able to deal with everyday life again. Is that not the main difference between the two?

Introverts = time alone recharges batteries.
Extraverts = time surrounded by others recharges batteries.
That is exactly it. A repressed extrovert will become depressed or depleted when alone. A repressed extrovert is not a state of peace and calm. Regarding the earlier comment about everyone needing alone time, that is because few people are absolutely one way or the other. We are referring to degrees. I suppose you could describe your ideal day and see to what degree it involves other people.

There is a second aspect to I and E i have wondered about. That is the need to socialize in groups vs. with individuals. My preference is alone time or time spent one-on-one. Groups short-circuit me quickly, but my need for individual communication makes it on the radar for personal need, as does my alone time.
 

prplchknz

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I would think it would be the energy factor, even if you are timid and shy, if you get energized being around people, sounds more E, if you feel drained after being around people and need time alone to recharge, then more I.

what if it depended on the situation? if I don't know anyone or it's awkward I feel drained. But if it's a comfortable situation I feel energized and if it's not too crowded (ie people running over me=bad and scary).
 

ptgatsby

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By definition, repression requires one to push down "unwanted" extroverted thoughts. This would normally imply negative conditioning, causing someone to push down their outgoing nature. I believe that some could even call this introversion, actually (the degree of E and I, in theory, could be based upon the degree of "reward" factors to speaking out relative to the degree of "punishment" factors to speaking out).

In any case, as with any represion, you'd be looking for outbursts as stray thoughts break out... and repression merely transfers the nature of things - if E is truly biological, as compared to I, and the behaviour it would manifest is being repressed, there will be an outlet, somewhere. It's impossible to know what it would be, for it would be different with every individual.
 

heart

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what if it depended on the situation? if I don't know anyone or it's awkward I feel drained. But if it's a comfortable situation I feel energized and if it's not too crowded (ie people running over me=bad and scary).

Speaking just for myself, even if I am comfortable in the situation and enjoying myself very much, it still is draining. Spending too much time on message boards when I am bored and seeking entertainment is even draining to me and I have to make an effort to reduce the time spent chatting. I still do these things because I feel the enjoyment is worth the rest time needed.
 

Sahara

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Speaking just for myself, even if I am comfortable in the situation and enjoying myself very much, it still is draining. Spending too much time on message boards when I am bored and seeking entertainment is even draining to me and I have to make an effort to reduce the time spent chatting.


See, if it wasn't for message boards I would unbelievably lonely. When the tests asked me if I could live as a hermit I answered yes, but only because I no longer trust people, if I still had my former trust and optimism and if I had answered that question 10yrs ago, I would have said no way.

I find too much company over very long periods to be draining, and need time alone, but when I still wanted friends I couldn't go too long without company, I would always be out socialising, I mean always.

I really wonder if my current introversion is based more on my islamic marriage in which introversion is a muslim womans expected attitude. Prior to that it was very rare that I chose to be alone, even if it meant hanging out with people that I found annoying just as long as I was with people doing stuff.

Being alone now is because I just don't like people as much anymore, yet I still constantly reach out across the net for contact.

What do you think?

EDIT: I score 57% introversion if that helps.
 

prplchknz

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Speaking just for myself, even if I am comfortable in the situation and enjoying myself very much, it still is draining. Spending too much time on message boards when I am bored and seeking entertainment is even draining to me and I have to make an effort to reduce the time spent chatting.

I don't know, maybe I am an E, I don't really consider myself an extravert nor a true introvert either. Despite on the tests always scoring high for Introversion , then I almost always get INTP despite not considering myself logical (I do answer as honestly as possible).
 

Wolf

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Introversion is a funny thing. It's a combination of being drained by human interaction and preferring familiar human interaction. That is, some positive interaction with familiar people is as energizing as being alone.

Don't ask me why.
 

ygolo

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I should have been more specific. Time alone during which they recharge to be able to deal with everyday life again. Is that not the main difference between the two?

Introverts = time alone recharges batteries.
Extraverts = time surrounded by others recharges batteries.

In my mind, this is the closest to a "fundamental" difference in type. I think there is even a proven biological basis (different prefered neural pathways, or something)...any insights ptgatsby?

You posted on this intpC thread (sorry for the cross posting, but seemed relavent)

I believe the thread originator was reffering to The Introvert Advantage.

Weather or not I like time alone depends on what I am allowed to do. I don't think I would like solatary confinement. Though with the amount of freedom I have while alone. It is generally recharges my batteries.

I get energized fairly often with others too, as long as I'm with friends. I can pretty much spend all day with good friends or family, and find it recharging.

Perhaps a refinement would be to see if a "party" situation is draining or recharging (I find it draining even if I am enjoying myself). Thought the energy expendeture makes it hard for me to believe that even extraverts can not feel tired afterwards.
 
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ptgatsby

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In my mind, this is the closest to a "fundamental" difference in type. I think there is even a proven biological basis (different prefered neural pathways, or something)...any insights ptgatsby?

I believe the two theories run that the purely biological bias has to do with the degree of arousal that happens, either by design (corital reactiveness) or by conditioning (ie: repression and behaviour stuff).

I's are over-aroused and therefore become overwhelmed and prefer less interaction while Es are under-aroused, effectively requiring more arousal.

I'm not sure about proven, however... but it is known that I's react to certain things more than Es, at the biological level, which is assumed to be tied in to the social stuff. However, the actual causation factor isn't know, I don't think.
 
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