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Sean McDonald
Professor Cassandra Blandford
English 1103
16 November 2015
Writing To Understand Others
In popular writing someone who displays anti-social tendencies and awkward
idiosyncrasies often falls into the category of an introvert; these characteristics often only
describe a false perception of introverts, with the reality being much more nuanced.
The Myers Briggs Foundation describes introverts as follows. Introverts tend to be most
productive when in an environment that fosters self-reflection and a sense of inner peace;
occasionally an introvert will work with a small, well known group, but in general they achieve
success more when working alone. An introvert may also strive to develop an idea in theory
before acting out a visible plan. Furthermore, sociologist Larry Morris defines introversion as a
personal variable. A personal variable defines a trait that varies from each individual and is never
exactly the same as someone else, making introversion a gradation not a monolithic concept
(The Myers & Briggs Foundation)(Moris, 40).
The topic of introversion and antisocialness came from the events that occurred in one of
my Computer Science classes. I always considered myself to have an introvert identity but I
learned from The Myers & Briggs Foundations test that this was not the case. This sparked my
interest in learning what defines an introvert and how this trait affects a personality and
interpersonal relationships. When looking at social media, introverts are usually portrayed as
antisocial, but I know first hand that being an introvert is not directly related to displaying

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antisocialness. My goal is to show an understanding of how being an introvert does not equate to
social aversion.
Antisocialness is defined in Webster's dictionary as, contrary to the laws and customs of
society; devoid of or antagonistic to sociable instincts or practices. To me antisocialness means
not speaking your opinion out in public and to constantly avoid social settings regardless of the
size of the setting. Computer scientists often fall victim to this characterization. People tend to
think of computer scientists as antisocial because media highlights the time they spend working
with a computer in order to make an individual easily identifiable over showing more variations
which make a character harder to categorize. Solving this misconception has to be done through
changing how the media looks at computer scientist. Similar to how there needs to be a change
for the media to stop presenting all introverts as antisocial.
Introverts can be perceived as anti-social because in a group of primarily extroverts
involved in a discussion, an introvert may know the knowledge involved but rather collect all of
their thoughts first before speaking on the matter. While extroverts are quick thinking and are
able to contribute the discussion going fluidly causing the introvert to appear zoned out or scared
to speak out which is not the case. Surrounding environments may also affect the sociability of
an introvert. For example, an introvert placed in a situation where they interact with other
introverts, they talk ceaselessly. Conversely, where an introvert be placed in a discussion with a
strong extrovert, the introvert may not be able to process the discourse as quickly making them
seem uninterested or distant (Millman)(H).
A good literary archetype in relation to modern representations of introverts, Sherlock
Holmes comes to mind. The archetype established by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle portrays a man
that spends incredible amounts of time to himself with only one true acquaintance in Dr. John

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Watson. Sherlock Holmes after working on a case could be perceived as anti-social because of
his long rest periods he takes where he retreats to his apartment and largely ignores the outside
world, preferring to smoke, meditate, or play his violin. Since Doyle wrote the Holmes character
with genius level intellect, one can assume that Holmes has a vast knowledge base for generic
information. The anti-social perception of Holmes stems from his peculiar thinking process
required to sift through his knowledge. Rather his mind needs to re-energize after being
constantly bombarded with social environments. This re-energize period occurs during his cases
as well, where Sherlock Holmes will relax while compiling together his thoughts on a case and
eventually Viola! he has an idea! This is the equivalent of an introvert in a conversation with
people the may not know in the fact it will take sometime for their thoughts to be collected
before having something to really say. The most powerful mind is the quiet mind. It is the mind
that is present, reflective, mindful of its thoughts and its state. It doesnt often multi-task, and
when it does, it does so with a purpose. With this quote it can represent that introverts choose to
focus on the idea of the conversation and how it correlates with their personal views
(Ramsland).
When first reading the Sherlock Holmes series, I did not see perceive Sherlock Holmes as
an introvert. Instead, he represented to me a highly intelligent human being who needed to rest
after being in high stress environments. Sherlock Holmes tendency to rest for a long duration
never came across as anti social to me. In my opinion it is normal for most human beings to have
a down time though I did find it odd that Sherlock Holmes down time was a couple of days
compared to an average person who only needs probably one day. Reading these books at a
younger age, I was not really exposed to what an introvert or an extrovert meant so I never had a

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biased opinion. After gaining knowledge about introverts and how they need to re energize, the
idea that Sherlock Holmes is an introvert started to make more sense.
Reflecting on myself literacy memoir I can see as to why I was intrigued to picking the
argument I am covering. In myself literacy memoir I talk about overcoming my dyslexia from an
early age and how learning to adapt with dyslexia ended up becoming an advantage rather than a
disadvantage. Introversion mimics dyslexia as you need to learn how to adapt with the
characteristics before you see the advantages for yourself. Being referred to as an introvert
bothers some because they feel singled out compared to most others. Having dyslexia had a
similar feeling to being singled out when working in a school environment or trying to be social
with a group of people. With this assignment I am trying to shed some light on why being an
introvert does not make you antisocial, similar to how dyslexia does not make you mentally
disabled.
While introverts are portrayed as anti social, this can happen in scenarios where an
introvert is surrounded by extroverts discussing a topic. Not keeping up with the conversation
causes extroverts to think of some introverts as anti social. Sherlock Holmes one of the most
intelligent characters in western fiction spends most of his time solving crimes in social
scenarios, and if he was actually antisocial would not be able to constantly keep up with the
people met. Currently, I still have dyslexia and now most people can not tell that I have dyslexia
either. Similar to how some introverts are now shown as extroverts in certain scenarios. Antisocial tendencies and awkward idiosyncrasies is a personal variable that does not always occur
when examining introverts character traits.
Works Cited

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The Myers & Briggs Foundation. The Myers & Briggs Foundation, n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2015.
<http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/extraversion-orintroversion.htm>.
MILLMAN, JAKE. "Toward A Quiet Kids Manifesto." Independent School 75.1 (2015): 68.
Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 Nov. 2015.
Ramsland, Katherine. "A Mind Like Sherlock Holmes." A Mind Like Sherlock Holmes.
Psychology Today, 6 Jan. 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2015.
<https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/shadow-boxing/201301/mind-sherlock-holmes>.
H, Eve-Cahoon. "Understanding the introvert preference." Journal of Nursing Edition : 191-93.
Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
Helgoe, Laurie. "Revenge of the Introvert." Revenge of the Introvert. Psychology Today, 1 Sept.
2010. Web. 22 Oct. 2015.
Morris, Larry Wayne. Extraversion and Introversion: An Interactional Perspective. Washington:
Hemisphere Pub. ;, 1979. Print.