Quiet by Susan Cain delves into the idea of introversion and the role of introverts in society. The most apparent divide between people psychologically is whether they are extroverts, which focus on the exterior world, or introverts, which focus on their inner worlds. Over the years, American society has begun to promote an Extrovert Ideal, valuing charisma over discipline. However, introverts are still important in all aspects of our world's function. False ideas of extrovert superiority are evident in many roles. Introverts can be just as successful as leaders, due to their attentiveness. Individual thinking promotes creativity, as groups can stifle ideas through peer pressure and distraction. To truly understand introverts, there have been studies on the origin of temperament, the most promising theory being that introverts are born highly reactive and greatly influenced by stimuli while extroverts were born the opposite. Being high-reactive means introverts respond more dramatically to physical sensations as well as emotions like embarrassment and guilt. On the other hand, extroverts' low-reactivity cause them to be reward …show more content…
Even if the purpose of the book was not to make extroverts happier with themselves, Cain's simplifying generalization is harmful from an intellectual standpoint and should not have been allowed to shape her worldview. In the beginning of the book, Cain writes of an introvert in a meeting, saying, "Across the table sat nine disgruntles investment bankers in tailored suits and expensive shoes... Her thoughts running on a familiar loop: I'm too quiet for this kind of thing, too unassuming, too cerebral" (Cain 8). To create the victim, one must also make a villain. The way Cain balances out the characterization of introverts is by making extroverts intense and overbearing, once again simplifying an enormous group of