Introversion is the sickle cell anemia of psychology.
Extraverts enjoy many benefits. They make more money, have more sex, and attain greater heights of leadership.
So why isn't everyone an extrovert?
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder that afflicts people in areas where malaria is commonplace. People who are homozygous for the gene that causes sickle cell suffer many maladies and tend to die young. But people who are heterozygous are more resistant to malaria. As a result, the disease persists into the modern era.
Similarly, while extraversion is generally beneficial, it has risks.
For example, imagine the extraverts are partying at the local watering hole when an invading band comes by and slaughters all the males over the age of 12.
Meanwhile, the introverts escape because they're hanging out by themselves in the forest.
Extroverts probably catch diseases ( syphilis, Black Death, AIDs) at higher rates too.
Introverts are generally better at tasks that require sustained, solitary attention, such as ambush hunting or scouting. In modern times, introverts also tend to be better artists and inventors.
So, while too much introversion is maladaptive, introverts avoid risks that plague extroverts at higher rates and fill niches that extroverts can't tolerate.
Extraverts enjoy many benefits. They make more money, have more sex, and attain greater heights of leadership.
So why isn't everyone an extrovert?
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder that afflicts people in areas where malaria is commonplace. People who are homozygous for the gene that causes sickle cell suffer many maladies and tend to die young. But people who are heterozygous are more resistant to malaria. As a result, the disease persists into the modern era.
Similarly, while extraversion is generally beneficial, it has risks.
For example, imagine the extraverts are partying at the local watering hole when an invading band comes by and slaughters all the males over the age of 12.
Meanwhile, the introverts escape because they're hanging out by themselves in the forest.
Extroverts probably catch diseases ( syphilis, Black Death, AIDs) at higher rates too.
Introverts are generally better at tasks that require sustained, solitary attention, such as ambush hunting or scouting. In modern times, introverts also tend to be better artists and inventors.
So, while too much introversion is maladaptive, introverts avoid risks that plague extroverts at higher rates and fill niches that extroverts can't tolerate.