Introversion vs Extroversion

[NotUrAvgGuy]

I took this test and would be curious to hear how others score if you are willing to share:

http://psychologytoday.tests.psychtests.com/take_test.php?idRegTest=1311

I will start by saying I scored an 8 in sociability on a scale of 0 to 100.

 

[blackribbon]

Sociability
45

According to your results you appear to be the type of person who enjoys socializing with both large and smaller, more intimate groups of people. You don't mind being around big crowds, but that doesn't mean you'll want to crash every party you're invited to. Having an active social life and extending your network of friends is relatively important to you, but it isn't the most crucial thing. You've managed to strike a great balance between actively involving yourself in your larger social network, and spending some quality time with a few intimate friends. Although you may not always be the conversation-starter or the "life of the party", you are generally a very outgoing individual, whether among friends or people you are less familiar with.

Probably exactly what I would have guessed. I like to be around people for a period of time but also value my alone time. I need a few good friends but going to parties or having a million casual friends means nothing to me. In fact, I feel low if too many of my friends are only casual friends.

 

[Travelers.Soul]

I scored a 27
According to your results you appear to be the type of person who doesn't socialize often. You likely have a limited social network, and possibly aren't really interested in extending it beyond a few close and intimate friendships. Having an active social life apparently isn't the most important thing to you. Chances are that when the opportunity arises to socialize among a large group of people, you'll likely turn it down if possible. This doesn't necessarily mean you don't enjoy socializing or being around people. Rather, you generally prefer spending time with smaller groups of friends. Individuals who score similarly to you typically aren't conversation-starters, especially with people they aren't familiar with. In addition, they aren't known to be exceptionally outgoing, unless among close friends.

None of this surprised me since I am an introvert and tend to fall into the 70's-80's on Myers-Briggs.

 

[exitstageright]

I took this test and would be curious to hear how others score if you are willing to share:

http://psychologytoday.tests.psychtests.com/take_test.php?idRegTest=1311

I will start by saying I scored an 8 in sociability on a scale of 0 to 100.

Snapshot Report

Sociability

0

According to your results you appear to be the type of person who doesn't socialize very often. You likely have a limited social network, and possibly aren't really interested in extending it beyond a few close and intimate friendships. Having an active social life doesn't appear to be an important thing to you. Chances are that when the opportunity arises to socialize among a large group of people, you'll most likely turn it down if possible. This doesn't necessarily mean you don't enjoy socializing or being around people. Rather, you tend to prefer spending time with smaller groups of friends. Individuals who score similarly to you typically aren't conversation-starters, especially with people they aren't familiar with. In addition, they aren't known to be exceptionally outgoing, unless among close friends.

This was me until I was about 21 or about 22 years old.The next post will be me,after I got out of the U.S. Navy,and up until the present time. In the Navy, I had to be around people and I could not just go anywhere to be by myself.

 

[exitstageright]

I took this test and would be curious to hear how others score if you are willing to share:

http://psychologytoday.tests.psychtests.com/take_test.php?idRegTest=1311

I will start by saying I scored an 8 in sociability on a scale of 0 to 100.

Snapshot Report

Sociability

78

According to your results you appear to be the type of person who enjoys socializing often, especially with large groups of people. You likely have an extensive social network, and rarely pass up the opportunity to expand it even further. Having an active social life appears fairly important to you, so chances are that when the opportunity to go out with "the gang" arises, you'll seldom turn it down. Individuals who score similarly to you enjoy interacting with a variety of people, regardless if they're friends or strangers. They are extremely people-oriented, are often described as the "life of the party" and tend to be exceptionally outgoing.

Now,this is the "exit" that you all know.

 

[quietpraiyze]

I started to take the test then I noticed I was only something like 35 questions in and got bored. I guess whatever I am I don't need to know that bad. Whatever I am I like just fine so I'm good.

 

[dayhiker]

I started to take the test and I didn't feel the answers to the questions fit me. So I cut out.

I can socialize in large groups and one on one. But after a weekend of being social I plan to do very little socializing after work thru the week.
But even at work I do some socializing.
After a lot of time with an intense GF I want a lot of time alone to recover, to ground myself before I go out again.

The answers didn't feel like they fit me as a result.

 

[NotUrAvgGuy]

Obviously these tests are "one size fits all" so I don't blame you if you did not like the answers. I know that I am someone who needs very, very, very little social contact. I can go 99% of the time without it and be just fine. My favorite weekends are the ones where I have nothing planned. I always have lots to do but things that only involve me. I don't want to date anyone because I might at times go a week or two and not even feel like talking much less getting together. So how wold that work? It wouldn't. I've been married and the thought of having to live under the same roof with someone for the rest of my life feels like a prison sentence. It's not that marriage is a bad idea. God created it and it can and should be an amazing blessing. Unfortunately for me it would be a nightmare. I would feel trapped. I don't want to be free to play the field. I want to be free to be alone. I wish whatever was so messed up inside me could change so that what others experience in relationships was something I could experience but it's never happened for me. Never. I have prayed and no doubt the fault is with me. However it's kind of hard to want something you've never had, never experienced. You literally don't know what you're missing. You have observational knowledge of it but not experience. Hard to crave that.

 

[blackribbon]

You do realize that you don't have to justify not wanting to be married. It is a valid life choice and if you use your time to serve God, it is probably a better option. But it is an okay and best option if you don't get married if you don't want to be married.

 

[NotUrAvgGuy]

While I agree with you I think we sometimes setup the choice as "get married" or "spend all that extra time you will have not being married serving the Lord." We all should server the Lord all we can whether we are married or single. If you chose not to be married though that doesn't mean you have to become a missionary or spend every free moment in some ministry. I serve God but I also have hobbies, exercise, and do many other things that are not pure ministry. You might say that is in lieu of spending time with a spouse. I'm not saying that was your meaning. Just a personal observation.

 

[exitstageright]

You do realize that you don't have to justify not wanting to be married. It is a valid life choice and if you use your time to serve God, it is probably a better option. But it is an okay and best option if you don't get married if you don't want to be married.

Yes, we christian men should strive to please and to serve God,than trying to please people. The only and big challenge is,that we have never seen God. However,we have to see and have to live with knuckleheads,down here on earth.

In our crazy society.There is this insane message that we(heterosexual) men get,when we are very young. The message is.That,if you are not well dressed,do not drive an expensive car,do not have a great body,do not make a six-figure income,do not,do not,and do not,have a woman, you are not a man. You are also a ..........failure,and a loser.

 

[blackribbon]

Yes, we christian men should strive to please and to serve God,than trying to please people. The only and big challenge is,that we have never seen God. However,we have to see and have to live with knuckleheads,down here on earth.

In our crazy society.There is this insane message that we(heterosexual) men get,when we are very young. The message is.That,if you are not well dressed,do not drive an expensive car,do not have a great body,do not make a six-figure income,do not,do not,and do not,have a woman, you are not a man. You are also a ..........failure,and a loser.

That is the world's message and part of being a Christian is learning how not to live under the oppression of that message. (Woman have a similar message about being perfect). I kind of hope that you have "seen" Christ down living through the lives of some people around you.

I know that you will just say that I don't get what you are saying and am "not listening"....but an example would be that you probably live and work under the attitudes and policies of your hospital and CEO without too much problem without ever actually having met him/her or sitting down and having a face-to-face conversation with him/her. Yes, you have probably seen a picture of the CEO or read something written by him/her...but how do you know this person really exists and isn't just some random picture. Like your hospital has policies that you live by and are surrounded by on a daily basis and you assume this person exists by the actions of those people around you...so it is with Christianity. We have God's written Word and the truth of His "policies" are shown through those who love Him and live under the culture of those policies.

Faith is belief in that which you cannot see but you believe based on the evidence of it's truth.

 

[blackribbon]

While I agree with you I think we sometimes setup the choice as "get married" or "spend all that extra time you will have not being married serving the Lord." We all should server the Lord all we can whether we are married or single. If you chose not to be married though that doesn't mean you have to become a missionary or spend every free moment in some ministry. I serve God but I also have hobbies, exercise, and do many other things that are not pure ministry. You might say that is in lieu of spending time with a spouse. I'm not saying that was your meaning. Just a personal observation.

I did not say that you "had" to do anything. But the message of the Bible is that we are to follow Jesus' example and to live for God (both marrieds and singles). It is easier for singles because they are not tied to the responsibility of also meeting the base needs of a spouse and children. In an ideal world, we would all do everything we do for Christ. Luckily God doesn't require us to be perfect. Serving God does not mean that you have to be involved in a defined ministry. One day we will all have to account for all our time...and I kind of doubt that listing a list of hobbies is going to be something high on our list of things we are proud of. That does not mean that they are evil or sinful but there should be a balance of how we spend our time...our faith should be evident in how we live our lives.

It isn't "get married" or "serve Christ".....being single just affords you more time and resources to offer back to God. Ministry comes in many shapes and sizes. I don't doubt for a moment that all the years I spent as a Cub Scout leader were part of my ministries....for someone less social, it might be mowing a neighbor's lawn for them or using carpentry skills to build a needed item for an organization. I doubt that the most of time I spend watching Netflix will be counted in my favor as using my talents wisely...but that doesn't mean it is sinful either. Just like on a job, we can either put in the minimum effort to earn our paycheck or try to go the extra mile. We do have choices in life in how we spend our time.

 

[exitstageright]

I did not say that you "had" to do anything. But the message of the Bible is that we are to follow Jesus' example and to live for God (both marrieds and singles). It is easier for singles because they are not tied to the responsibility of also meeting the base needs of a spouse and children. In an ideal world, we would all do everything we do for Christ. Luckily God doesn't require us to be perfect. Serving God does not mean that you have to be involved in a defined ministry. One day we will all have to account for all our time...and I kind of doubt that listing a list of hobbies is going to be something high on our list of things we are proud of. That does not mean that they are evil or sinful but there should be a balance of how we spend our time...our faith should be evident in how we live our lives.

It isn't "get married" or "serve Christ".....being single just affords you more time and resources to offer back to God. Ministry comes in many shapes and sizes. I don't doubt for a moment that all the years I spent as a Cub Scout leader were part of my ministries....for someone less social, it might be mowing a neighbor's lawn for them or using carpentry skills to build a needed item for an organization. I doubt that the most of time I spend watching Netflix will be counted in my favor as using my talents wisely...but that doesn't mean it is sinful either. Just like on a job, we can either put in the minimum effort to earn our paycheck or try to go the extra mile. We do have choices in life in how we spend our time.

That is the world's message and part of being a Christian is learning how not to live under the oppression of that message. (Woman have a similar message about being perfect). I kind of hope that you have "seen" Christ down living through the lives of some people around you.

I know that you will just say that I don't get what you are saying and am "not listening"....but an example would be that you probably live and work under the attitudes and policies of your hospital and CEO without too much problem without ever actually having met him/her or sitting down and having a face-to-face conversation with him/her. Yes, you have probably seen a picture of the CEO or read something written by him/her...but how do you know this person really exists and isn't just some random picture. Like your hospital has policies that you live by and are surrounded by on a daily basis and you assume this person exists by the actions of those people around you...so it is with Christianity. We have God's written Word and the truth of His "policies" are shown through those who love Him and live under the culture of those policies.

Faith is belief in that which you cannot see but you believe based on the evidence of it's truth.

Your point is well taken.However,at work I do see my CEO three to four times a week in our break lounge. We both say,"Hello"
to each other while we our having our coffee. My CEO was,at one time,the head of the lab. My first CEO,at this same company,one Christmas Eve,came down to the lab,and shook our hands,while telling us of the great jobs that we all did that year. We all appreciated it.

But,I work in a private lab now. Yes,in a hospital setting,one may not get a chance to meet the CEO. But,one time,at a County
Hospital,the CEO came down to the lab,shook my hand,and congratulated me on going the extra mile,in order to help out a patient.

So,yes,it is not just all about the money.I also just like being appreciated. Most of the women,that I have "seen Christ" in are married women,who do not lie to me and who are truthful,and kind to me.As I have written before,there are times that I have seen more "Jesus" in non believers,that I have seen in believers.
However,my last two lady friends,(believers)who may have been my "girlfriends",who treated me well,with kindness and affections,within the last threes years,have died of cancer. Even my ex-wife now has cancer.And, one ex- girlfriend of mine,has died of cancer.I thank God that he has richly blessed me in other areas of my life. I am not asking women out for dates now.Because it just seems like an excercise in futility. When it comes to relationships,I am just snake bitten.
As for me not conforming to this world,Yes,I mostly have obeyed Romans 12:2. In school,because I never smoked,drank,or did drugs,I was always called a square. Even one girl called me an ugly square. Now how can an young man feel confident,when girls call you ugly? But,the positive thing about all of that negativity was,that was what motivated me to succeed in life.

 

[blackribbon]

Personally, I hope you have seen God in people whom you are not attracted to...men, women, children, old people. Finding God involves developing relationships where you are not the center but rather others are. You are not that young insecure man anymore. Let him go and be who God has called you to be today. And yes, part of growing old is watching those we love and care about die...as we will too one day. As a Christian, that isn't a day to dread but rather the ultimate Graduation Day. The day we actually get to meet our Father face to face.

 

[exitstageright]

Personally, I hope you have seen God in people whom you are not attracted to...men, women, children, old people. Finding God involves developing relationships where you are not the center but rather others are. You are not that young insecure man anymore. Let him go and be who God has called you to be today. And yes, part of growing old is watching those we love and care about die...as we will too one day. As a Christian, that isn't a day to dread but rather the ultimate Graduation Day. The day we actually get to meet our Father face to face.

Yes,I have seen God in people whom I have not been attracted to.I used to fear death,when I was a teenager. I was assured of my salvation,by what Jesus did. But,as a teenager,in the 1970's,there was the Viet Nam war.There was the Cold War.There was a threat of a thermonuclear war.I did not want to get drafted and die in an unjust war. I feared death . I thought that I was going to die,without ever hearing those words,"S...I ...love...you!" Also,because there were some goals(nowadays people call them a "Bucket List")in life that I wanted to accomplished. I knew that death was the only thing that could stop me from reaching my goals. I wanted to,by age 27,have a smart scientist for a wife,and two brilliant children.But,that did not come to fruition. However,my goals to become an actor,and/or a scientist did come to fruition.

What made the deaths ,of my two lady friends, so bad was the fact that here ,I finally found the lady of my dreams,after taking so much abuse from other women,and now cancer robs me! I feel as if I am being cheated.That is why I loves sports so much.In sports,I do not feel as if I am being cheated. I was very fortunate and blessed to see so many Hall of Fame baseball players,such as Willie Mays,play,when I was an youngster.
But,my good news is,that about 3 years ago,I was dreading retirement.

But, I found out,from Social Security that I have earned enough credits to retire. Well, I do not plan to fully retire now. My FRA(Full Retirement Age) is 66,which will be in 2020.At least 1 to 2 times a week,I receive emails,and voice mails about an opening for a CLS. I can make part-time money and still get my SS benefits! One time, I received a call from a recruiter that works for the company that I already work for!

Well I am very,very,motivated to take very care of myself,by walking a mile five days a week,and watching my blood sugars.Because,I do not want to spend my retirement years in a Doctor's Office Waiting Room.

Then,Lord willing,I can spend more time with my cruise friends. My cruise friends are, in alphabetical
order,Alvaro,Anne,Barbara,Bettye,Bonnie,Cat,Debra,Don,Erin,Gale,Janice,Jennifer,Karen,Kim,Lisa B.,Lisa W.,Marcia,Maria,Marjean,Matthew,Michell,Mumsie,Nancy,Paul,Rick,Rosie,Savanna,Shelby,Sherry,Susan,Suzanne,Temeka,Terry,Wanda,Wendy,and Yo. Yes,most of my cruise friends are women from all over the country,and fom all over the world. I just cannot seem to meet a woman,like these kind of women,here in California.
Then,after retirement,I can just "go trout fishing and die".

 

[NotUrAvgGuy]

I did not say that you "had" to do anything. But the message of the Bible is that we are to follow Jesus' example and to live for God (both marrieds and singles). It is easier for singles because they are not tied to the responsibility of also meeting the base needs of a spouse and children. In an ideal world, we would all do everything we do for Christ. Luckily God doesn't require us to be perfect. Serving God does not mean that you have to be involved in a defined ministry. One day we will all have to account for all our time...and I kind of doubt that listing a list of hobbies is going to be something high on our list of things we are proud of. That does not mean that they are evil or sinful but there should be a balance of how we spend our time...our faith should be evident in how we live our lives.

It isn't "get married" or "serve Christ".....being single just affords you more time and resources to offer back to God. Ministry comes in many shapes and sizes. I don't doubt for a moment that all the years I spent as a Cub Scout leader were part of my ministries....for someone less social, it might be mowing a neighbor's lawn for them or using carpentry skills to build a needed item for an organization. I doubt that the most of time I spend watching Netflix will be counted in my favor as using my talents wisely...but that doesn't mean it is sinful either. Just like on a job, we can either put in the minimum effort to earn our paycheck or try to go the extra mile. We do have choices in life in how we spend our time.

Not disagreeing and I know the Apostle Paul made such remarks but serving others in the name of the Lord is doing God's work. Loving your wife/husband/children and caring for their needs is serving the Lord. The Proverbs talk about children as "arrows" we shoot into the future. They are part of fulfilling the Great Commission when we raise them as godly children. So I'm not sure that the responsibility of meeting the base needs of our family is any less serving God than what a single person could do. It may seem more mundane but even giving a cup of cold water to someone in need is valuable in the Lord's eyes.

I try to bring Christ to people even in my hobbies. It is often in our day-to-day dealings with people we speak the gospel loudest. As long as we do all things for the glory of God we are serving him. Now watching Netflix perhaps not but it is allowing your body and mind to rejuvenate for times of service. As long as what you watch is honoring to God.

 

[NotUrAvgGuy]

Just an observation but most relationships revolve around conversation. People want to talk, to relate. Introverts tend to do a lot of thinking and self-talk. I sometimes think that self-talk meets my needs for talking. I also love to write unlike most people. I can write long emails that are well written and articulate. Most people though prefer to talk or text. Writing is becoming a lost art.

I've been on dating sites and when I read the profiles of most women their activities often center around social gatherings and times spent talking. It could be sitting on the porch watching the sunset with glass of wine in hand but with their special someone talking. I get bored talking fairly quickly. I prefer activity or time alone. I can talk for bits of time here and there but then I want to either do an activity or be quiet. Makes relationships difficult as most people want more time talking than I do. My mind is so busy though constantly thinking that I think that uses up a lot of my desire to talk.

 

[exitstageright]

I can relate to what you are writing. There are times,when I needed to be alone,in order to "recharge my batteries".My older brother,once told me,after I told him that I can express myself better by writing,rather than by talking,he told me,"If you keep doing that,people would think that you are crazy!"
You see,growing up,I got very little encouragement from my family members. I had to learn how to encourage and how to depend upon........ myself.

 

[NotUrAvgGuy]

I can relate to what you are writing. There are times,when I needed to be alone,in order to "recharge my batteries".My older brother,once told me,after I told him that I can express myself better by writing,rather than by talking,he told me,"If you keep doing that,people would think that you are crazy!"
You see,growing up,I got very little encouragement from my family members. I had to learn how to encourage and how to depend upon........ myself.

You are very normal for an introvert. What I find interesting is how much people like to text now. I know a number of people who prefer texting to all other forms of communication (when not together in person of course). Everyone is so busy now that with texting they feel they can text when they have moments of time then text again when they have time whereas a phone call requires a bock of time. Most people know longer like to write emails. They feel it takes too much time verses short, concise texts. Texting though is not good for deeper topics and can lead to misunderstandings. I have people tell me they don't have time for a phone call but will texting me on and off for 2 hours! We could have covered 2 hours of texting in a 10 minute phone call.

One issue with this generation is everyone is used to Facebook, Twitter, texting, etc. All short bites of information. People don't read or write like they used to. We want everything in little bits and instantly. No wonder attention spans are so short.