TOW #24 – IRB: “Quiet” (Part 2)

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

By Susan Cain

In the second half of Quiet, by Susan Cain, the differences between extraverts and introverts are further explained in greater detail.  While Cain points out several advantages introverts have over extraverts, the author also writes positively about extraverts’ strengths.  Through this organization of her book, Cain continues a theme of requiring a balance of both extraverts and introverts in order for a society that is most efficient and welcoming to people of any personality. 

Previously, I blogged about Cain’s research on introverts as leaders, starting in business schools like Harvard and ending with Eleanor Roosevelt and FDR.  She attributes these differences in leadership styles because of introverts’ biology.  Next, Cain comments on the cognitive capacity of introverts.  Quoting psychologist Gerald Matthews’ work, Cain argues that introverts spend their brain energy to focus on HOW a task is completed, while extraverts focus on the END GOAL.  As a result, an introvert, in general, will think more “carefully” than extraverts.  The author puts it simply: introverts ask “what if” and extraverts will ask “what is.”

By explaining the key differences between the thought processes behind introversion and extraversion, Cain can help introverted readers focus on their strengths.  Many times, as extraverts make up the majority of the sound in the room, taking up the majority of the world’s attention, introverts feel the need to conform to society’s extraverted standards.  After reading Cain’s compilation of the power of introverts, introverted readers may start to discover their own spaces in the world, places where they can become like extraverts, but still stay an introvert; what I mean is, these introverts may start to speak out more frequently and share their answers to their “what if” questions. 

I admire Cain’s method of non-fiction writing.  While Quiet is often categorized as a self-help book for introverts, it also targets adults who are teachers to introverted students or parents of introverted children, and Cain helps these non-introverts understand the best way to encourage an introvert to join the world, to find confidence in themselves, and to thrive in such an extravert-driven society. 

Personally, I think Susan Cain has written something magical for introverts and extraverts to read.  From her own advice to parents: “If you’re consistent in helping your young child learn to regulate his or her emotions and behaviors in soothing and supportive ways, something rather magical will begin to happen: in time, you might watch your daughter seem to be silently reassuring herself: ‘Those kids are having fun, I can go over there...’” (249)