Quiet: an in-depth look into the power of introverts

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that can’t stop talking by Susan Cain is an in-depth investigation of the difference between introversion and extroversion and the power of both personality types in business, education and society. Ms. Cain opens with definitions of the two types as well as what they are and aren’t. She explores the history of how extroversion became the desire personality type in American culture. The psychological research which began in the 1920s with Carl Jung’s first coining the terms and, as Ms. Cain claims, the prejudice against introversion, and the current psychological research which shows introversion has its own advantages. Ms. Cain also explores the biology of temperament as well as the possibility that personality types are nurtured as research has shown that heritability of temperament is about 40-50%. She also explores how one can live, work and relate to others according to their personality type.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I slowly read each word and absorbed the information she was providing. As an introvert, I found myself cheering as Ms. Cain spoke against the idea that extroverts are more desired in business, leadership and education. Introversion is more than just shyness. It is sensitivity, seriousness introspection. Almost from the beginning, introversion became a second-class trait considered something between a disappointment and a pathology that needed to be cure. Ms. Cain challenges the notion that extroversion is the better personality in all areas of our lives. I highly recommend Quiet!

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking

is available in all formats at major booksellers