She begins by showing how extroversion -- the outward, talkative, risk-taking, team-working individuals -- have become the standard for what society thinks of as best. "We like to think we value individuality," she writes of our culture, "but all too often we admire one type of individual" (p. 4).  From many studies over the years, for instance, she finds that "talkative people are rated as smarter, better-looking, more interesting, and more desirable as friends."

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The problem is that while we come in different shapes and temperaments, often school classrooms are designed to encourage extroversion through "speaking up," small groups, collaboration, team-work, classroom presentations, and so on. In the past, whenever I have suggested that even our state standards which stress collaboration are not built for introverts, I've been told that everyone needs to learn these skills. The same attention is not given to the skills that come naturally to introverts -- sensitivity, thinking before you speak, reading over speaking, working creatively on one's own. Introversion, as Cain explains it, "is now a second-class personality trait, somewhere between a disappointment and a pathology. Introverts living under the Extrovert Ideal are like women in a man's world, discounted because of a trait that goes to the core of who they are." 

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The book places attention on how introverts are treated in our educational system. Cain also describes ways in which Introverts can adapt and grow even when not accepted as a positive model for our culture.

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So why am, I reviewing this book? Take Two:

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(1) As a teacher I try to balance the need for students to learn how to cooperate and collaborate in the "work place," however I also understand that some students work better on their own. All group work will have a component that is graded on each individual's performance, not just the group's achievement. In addition, alternative assignments can sometimes be given in place of collaborative work. 

 

(2) As a parent, I have benefited from hearing a different perspective on how children learn and grow. And as a card-carrying member of Introverts Anonymous, I found the book to be very freeing and inspiring, since at last I had found someone who understood the ways I have functioned for well over 60 years now.

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______________________

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For more on Susan Cain, you can check out her TED Talk here:  

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Wishing you the best, quietly, I remain,

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Dr. Schellenberg