Shy vs. Introvert: Understanding the Dimensions of Introversion and Shyness

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsShy vs. Outgoing, Introvert vs. ExtrovertDimensions of Shyness and IntroversionExamples of Personality DimensionsCoping With Shyness

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Shy vs. Outgoing, Introvert vs. Extrovert

Dimensions of Shyness and Introversion

Examples of Personality Dimensions

Coping With Shyness

Close

Shyness and introversion are commonly mistaken as being the same thing.Shynessinvolves fear of negative evaluation (and shares some similarities tosocial anxiety),whereasintroversionrefers to a tendency toward becoming over-stimulated and the need to be alone to gain energy.

At a GlanceShyness and introversion share some similarities, but they are not the same. People can be both, but it is also possible to be extroverted and shy, or outgoing and introverted. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between being shy vs. an introvert, different personality dimensions that can play a role, and how to manage symptoms of shyness.

At a Glance

Shyness and introversion share some similarities, but they are not the same. People can be both, but it is also possible to be extroverted and shy, or outgoing and introverted. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between being shy vs. an introvert, different personality dimensions that can play a role, and how to manage symptoms of shyness.

The opposite of shyness is beingoutgoing, while the opposite of introversion isextroversion. These concepts are similar but different.

The outgoing person is not afraid of others and has a tendency to approach—be it at a party, when meeting someone new, or when making plans with friends.

Theextrovertappears similar, often making friends easily. However, the core feature of the extrovert is a need for stimulation and time spent with others. This is reflected in brain neuroimaging studies that show different activation of areas of the brain in extroverts compared to introverts.

Are You an Extroverted Introvert?

To summarize, we can think of each of these concepts as follows:

Where do you think you fit in the introversion/extroversion and shy/outgoing dimensions? Obviously, we can’t categorize people, but we can think of most individuals as leaning toward one of the following four groups:Outgoing Extrovert (no fear, need for stimulation)Shy Extrovert (fear, need for stimulation)Outgoing Introvert(no fear, easily overstimulated)Shy Introvert (fear, easily overstimulated)

Where do you think you fit in the introversion/extroversion and shy/outgoing dimensions? Obviously, we can’t categorize people, but we can think of most individuals as leaning toward one of the following four groups:

To help figure out which group you most closely match, the following describes how a person leaning toward each category might respond to some typical social/interaction scenarios.

Have a look below and see if any of the patterns sound right for you.

Outgoing-Extrovert

Shy-Extrovert

Outgoing-Introvert

Shy-Introvert

If you still need help figuring out which side of the scale you’re on, you can also take ourintrovert vs. extrovert testto learn more.

What to Know About Introvert Dating

If you are shy, social situations can be challenging and may lead to distress oravoidance. You may be sensitive to other people’s judgments, making it difficult to speak in public, try new things, or enter unfamiliar social situations.

Some things that can make it easier to manage feelings of shyness include:

Appreciate Your Strengths

Shy people are often sensitive, caring, empathetic, and responsive. While you may feel more apprehensive in some social situations, remember that people appreciate these qualities.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Shy people naturally tend to avoid social situations, meaning they have less experience practicing different social behaviors and interactions.Start looking for opportunities to practice different social behaviors in different settings. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel.

Use Relaxation Techniques

If you find yourself feeling nervous in social situations, practicerelaxation techniquesto manage these feelings of anxiety.Deep breathingis one strategy that can relieve feelings of mental and physical anxiety, which can help you feel calmer when you are in social situations.

Keep in Mind

People can be both shy and introverted, but not all shy people are introverts, and not all introverts are shy.

If you are experiencing symptoms of social anxiety, including distress and avoidance that interferes with your ability to function in your daily life, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chavira DA, Stein MB, Malcarne VL.Scrutinizing the relationship between shyness and social phobia.J Anxiety Disord. 2002;16(6):585-598. doi:10.1016/s0887-6185(02)00124-xLei X, Yang T, Wu T.Functional neuroimaging of extraversion-introversion.Neurosci. Bull.2015;31:663-675. doi:10.1007/s12264-015-1565-1Tuovinen S, Tang X, Salmela-Aro K.Introversion and social engagement: Scale validation, their interaction, and positive association with self-esteem.Front Psychol. 2020;11:590748. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.590748Cordier R, Speyer R, Mahoney N, Arnesen A, Mjelve LH, Nyborg G.Effects of interventions for social anxiety and shyness in school-aged children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2021;16(7):e0254117. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0254117Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al.How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing.Front Hum Neurosci. 2018;12:353. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chavira DA, Stein MB, Malcarne VL.Scrutinizing the relationship between shyness and social phobia.J Anxiety Disord. 2002;16(6):585-598. doi:10.1016/s0887-6185(02)00124-xLei X, Yang T, Wu T.Functional neuroimaging of extraversion-introversion.Neurosci. Bull.2015;31:663-675. doi:10.1007/s12264-015-1565-1Tuovinen S, Tang X, Salmela-Aro K.Introversion and social engagement: Scale validation, their interaction, and positive association with self-esteem.Front Psychol. 2020;11:590748. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.590748Cordier R, Speyer R, Mahoney N, Arnesen A, Mjelve LH, Nyborg G.Effects of interventions for social anxiety and shyness in school-aged children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2021;16(7):e0254117. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0254117Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al.How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing.Front Hum Neurosci. 2018;12:353. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Chavira DA, Stein MB, Malcarne VL.Scrutinizing the relationship between shyness and social phobia.J Anxiety Disord. 2002;16(6):585-598. doi:10.1016/s0887-6185(02)00124-xLei X, Yang T, Wu T.Functional neuroimaging of extraversion-introversion.Neurosci. Bull.2015;31:663-675. doi:10.1007/s12264-015-1565-1Tuovinen S, Tang X, Salmela-Aro K.Introversion and social engagement: Scale validation, their interaction, and positive association with self-esteem.Front Psychol. 2020;11:590748. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.590748Cordier R, Speyer R, Mahoney N, Arnesen A, Mjelve LH, Nyborg G.Effects of interventions for social anxiety and shyness in school-aged children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2021;16(7):e0254117. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0254117Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al.How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing.Front Hum Neurosci. 2018;12:353. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353

Chavira DA, Stein MB, Malcarne VL.Scrutinizing the relationship between shyness and social phobia.J Anxiety Disord. 2002;16(6):585-598. doi:10.1016/s0887-6185(02)00124-x

Lei X, Yang T, Wu T.Functional neuroimaging of extraversion-introversion.Neurosci. Bull.2015;31:663-675. doi:10.1007/s12264-015-1565-1

Tuovinen S, Tang X, Salmela-Aro K.Introversion and social engagement: Scale validation, their interaction, and positive association with self-esteem.Front Psychol. 2020;11:590748. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.590748

Cordier R, Speyer R, Mahoney N, Arnesen A, Mjelve LH, Nyborg G.Effects of interventions for social anxiety and shyness in school-aged children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2021;16(7):e0254117. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0254117

Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al.How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing.Front Hum Neurosci. 2018;12:353. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353

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