內向者的八個特徵(上) @ 譯文大賞

內向者的八個特徵，圖片來源：Toa Heftiba, Unsplash

Introversion is a personality trait characterized by a focus on internal feelings rather than on external sources of stimulation. Introverts and extroverts are often viewed in terms of two extreme opposites, but the truth is that most people lie somewhere in the middle.

內向，指的是一種將注意力放在內在感受多過於外部環境刺激的個人特質。通常我們會認為人們不是內向就是外向的人，但是事實上，多數人都是介於這兩者的中間。

如果內向跟外向是兩個端點，那麼多數人會在端點的中間，圖片來源：Pablo García Saldaña, Unsplash

While introverts make up an estimated 25 to 40 percent of the population, there are still many misconceptions about this personality type. It is also important to note that introversion is not the same things as social anxiety or shyness. Being an introvert does not mean that you are socially anxious or shy.

根據統計，內向者約占總人口的25至40%(編按：是否比您想像得多呢？)。儘管有不少內向的人，但人們對於這項特質仍有非常多的誤解。首先，內向並不等同於社交恐懼或是害羞，所以這也就代表著，我們常聽到的"內向害羞"這樣的字眼，其實不一定是正確用詞喔。(編按：有些外向的人也會害羞喔)

What Is an Introvert? 什麼是內向呢？

圖片來源：Laurenz Kleinheider, Unsplash

Introversion is one of the major personality traits identified in many theories of personality. People who are introverted tend to be inward turning, or focused more on internal thoughts, feelings and moods rather than seeking out external stimulation. Introversion is generally viewed as existing as part of a continuum along with extroversion. Introversion indicates one end of the scale, while extroversion represents the other end.

在許多人格特質的理論中可以發現，內向是其中一種主要的人格特質。從定義上來看，心理學家說一個人內向，就代表這樣的人傾向自身思考(inward turning)或是專注於自身的想法、感受與心情，多於尋求外部環境的刺激。而外向則是與內向相反，所以可以說內向跟外向猶如坐落在坐標軸的兩端。

內向與外向猶如坐落在光譜的兩端，圖片來源：Sharon McCutcheon, Unsplash

The terms introversion and extroversion (also often spelled extraversion) were popularized through the work of Carl Jung and later became central parts of other prominent theories including the big 5 theory of personality. The introversion-extroversion dimension is also one of the four areas identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). According to many theories of personality, everyone has some degree of both introversion and extroversion. However, people often tend to lean one way or the other.

心理學家卡爾．榮格是世上第一位定義內向與外向的心理學家，在他提出相關理論後不久，就成為了人格五大特質最主要的理論基礎。除此之外，邁爾斯-布里格斯性格分類法(MBTI測驗)也將此列為四項指標之一。而根據許多個性相關的理論，可以了解每個人或多或少都兼具內向與外向性。不過通常會按兩種特質的多寡，而偏向光譜的其中一端。

卡爾．榮格曾說："世界上既沒有完全內向的人，亦沒有絕對外向的人"圖片來源：
Andrew Shiau, Unsplash

Introverts tend to be more quiet, reserved, and introspective. Unlike extroverts who gain energy from social interaction, introverts have to expend energy in social situations. After attending a party or spending time in a large group of people, introverts often feel a need to "recharge" by spending a period of time alone.

內向的人通常是比較安靜、謙遜且具有內省的特質。他(她)們並不像外向者可以從各式各樣的社交活動來儲備精力，相反的，身處在外界的社交環境，是會消耗內向者的精神的。例如，在參加一場宴會或是與一大群的人相處後，內向者通常需要一段時間的獨處來"充電"。

如果用電池來形容的話，內向者需要一段時間獨處後才能充飽在社交環境中消耗的電，圖片來源：rawpixel, Unsplash

Causes 身為內向或是外向的原因

In order to know why some people are introverted and some people are extroverted, it is important to understand the role that your body's physiology plays. The way that your body responds to the outside environment plays a critical role in determining your level of extroversion and introversion.

為了要了解為何有些人比較偏向外向，有些人比較偏內向。首先我們可以從人的生理來頗析：人體面對外在環境時的反應，是判別一個人偏向內外向程度的主要基準。

一個人面對外在環境的生理反應，是判別內外向的主要基準。圖片來源：Štefan Štefančík, Unsplash

On a physiological level, a network of neurons located in the brainstem known as the reticular activating system (RAS) is responsible for regulating arousal levels including wakefulness and transitions between sleeping and waking.

從生理學來看，腦部網狀激活系統(RAS)-這個位於腦幹的神經元網絡，是負責調控睡眠跟清醒，並能讓人體得以在這兩種狀態間轉換的一個系統。

RAS是人體負責調控睡眠與清醒的一個系統，圖片來源：Lauren Kay, Unsplash

The RAS also plays a role in controlling how much information you take in while you are awake. When confronted by potential threats in the environment, the RAS will increase your arousal levels in order for you to be alert and ready to deal with the danger. Each person has a basic set point in terms of arousal level. Some people tend to naturally have a much higher set point, while others have a much lower set point.

除此之外，RAS在調控人體清醒時接收資訊的多寡上，也扮演了一個重要的角色。當面臨到外在環境下潛在的威脅，人體就會透過RAS的活化(能提升清醒的水準)來順利應付這樣的狀況。因著每個人生理結構的不同，就有著不同的清醒基準。有些人的基準似乎是比一般人來得高，反之亦同。

咖啡、茶這類含咖啡因的飲料，之所以能夠提神，主要是因為咖啡因能刺激RAS，讓人體保持清醒的狀態，圖片來源：Jakub Kapusnak, Unsplash

The psychologist Hans Eysenck suggested that these arousal levels could be thought of as a continuum. According to his arousal theory of extroversion:

德國心理學家漢斯艾森克(Hans Eysenck)認為這樣的清醒水準是一種連續光譜(編按：還記得前文提到的內外向同處在一個光譜嗎？)，而根據他提出外向的激活理論，個人歸納出以下幾點：

15 percent of people have a minimal set point, meaning they naturally have low arousal levels

世上有15%的人具有最低的喚醒基準點，代表著這些人天生有著較低的激活水平

15 percent of people have a high set point, meaning they naturally tend to be more aroused

同時，也有15%的人具有高的喚醒基準點，代表他們天生就較容易受到刺激。

70 percent of people lie somewhere in the middle of the continuum

剩下的70%則是在這連續體的中間。

以統計學的角度來看，喚醒基準高低的比例猶如常態分佈，介於高低之間的比例最多，圖片來源：rawpixel, Unsplash

According to Eysenck's theory, introverts are those that have naturally high levels of arousal. Because introverts tend to experience chronically high arousal levels, they tend to seek activities and environments where they can escape from overstimulation. Because of their naturally high arousal levels, they are more alert and take in more information from the environment. Escaping somewhere to have time alone to recharge gives them the opportunity to process and reflect on what they have learned.

根據上述艾森克所提出的理論，我們可以了解內向者天生就具有較高的喚醒基準點。因為內向者本身具有較高的喚醒水準下，比較傾向去找些能逃避過度刺激的活動或是環境。因為他們天生具有較高的喚醒基準，所以較容易在環境下受到刺激。而再花些時間獨處或是逃離刺激過多的環境後，讓他們得以有機會自精疲力盡的狀態恢復。