introversion
introversion — noun
1. a tendency to feel more comfortable and mentally refreshed when spending time al
a tendency to feel more comfortable and mentally refreshed when spending time alone or with just a few close people, rather than in large social groups or loud gatherings
Many people confuse shyness with introversion, but they are different traits.
introversion contrasted with shyness
Amani's introversion means she prefers reading a book alone to attending a loud party.
prefers + gerund to + gerund
The counselor helped Nikhil see his introversion as a natural part of his personality.
Elise chose a quiet cafe for her birthday because her introversion makes loud restaurants exhausting.
- shyness
overlaps in everyday speech but shyness involves fear of judgment, while introversion is a preference for less stimulation
- reserve
focuses on the behavioural sign of holding back, not the motivational cause
- reticence
emphasises reluctance to speak or express oneself, which may or may not accompany introversion
- extroversion
the opposite trait: gaining energy from social interaction and external activities
- sociability
a broader fondness for being with others, not a strict personality opposite
用法筆記
Frequently contrasted with 'extroversion' (or 'extraversion'); the two are seen as opposite ends of a personality spectrum, not a binary.
常見錯誤
2. in psychology, a stable personality pattern in which a person draws emotional en
in psychology, a stable personality pattern in which a person draws emotional energy and satisfaction from their own inner world of thoughts and feelings, rather than from social activities or external events
In psychology class, the professor explained that introversion is a normal personality dimension, not a disorder.
normal personality dimension — not pathological
Ramon's high introversion score on the personality test matched his quiet lifestyle.
collocation: introversion score
Dr. Patel's research explores how introversion affects the way people process new information.
Yuki's psychology report examined how introversion relates to creativity in visual artists.
- inwardness
a more literary or philosophical term for being absorbed in one's own thoughts
- self-containment
emphasises emotional independence from others, a behavioural consequence of introversion
- extroversion
the opposite pole on the personality dimension; in psychology, often spelled 'extraversion'
用法筆記
In academic psychology, introversion is one pole of the extraversion-introversion dimension in the Big Five and Eysenck's personality models. It is not considered a flaw or a condition requiring treatment.
常見錯誤
3. a biological condition in which a part of the body, such as an organ, a layer of
a biological condition in which a part of the body, such as an organ, a layer of tissue, or the edge of a plant structure, turns inward or folds back toward the inside of the organism
The ophthalmologist diagnosed an introversion of the lower eyelid, which was causing irritation.
collocation: introversion of the eyelid
In plant biology, introversion of leaf edges helps seedlings retain moisture during dry spells.
The surgeon noted an introversion of the intestinal wall during the procedure.
Under the microscope, introversion of the cell membrane was visible in the sample tissue.
- invagination
more common in medical contexts for a pocket-shaped inward fold
- inversion
a broader term for any turning inward, also used in anatomy and genetics
- eversion
the opposite process of turning outward or inside out
用法筆記
This sense is primarily used in medical and biological contexts. In medicine, the term overlaps with 'invagination' (a pocket-like folding inward). In botany, it describes a curling or folding movement of plant parts.