Salt Spring 'Introvert' Island

By Christopher Roy

People & Places - November 3, 2011

Last week we ran a survey asking residents of Salt Spring if they considered themselves to be *mostly* introverted or extroverted. The results are bit a surprising. Our survey closed automatically when we hit 100 responses and of those 100 responses, 79 people identified themselves as *mostly* introverted.

Speaking with a colleague via email about this who has a background in Jungian psychology, he shared that in general it is understood that about 40% of the population identify as introverts and that the dominant culture, at least in North America, is extrovertedly oriented.

Is it possible that 79% of islanders are mostly introverted at double the average in North America? Is this just another thing that makes Salt Spring special? Should we have gone out and surveyed at a party where all the extroverts are? Should we become the destination for introverts everywhere, or do we need to import some more extroverts to balance this place out?

By Christopher Roy

Founder and former manager of the Salt Spring Exchange - christopherroy.com View all posts by Christopher Roy

7 responses to “Salt Spring 'Introvert' Island”

Dianne

15 years ago

In a book called "The Gifted Introvert", author Lesley Sword says "Western civilization is dominated by extroverts by 3 to 1. They are more vocal and therefore easier to understand. However, introverts form the majority of gifted people".

Being one way or the other is not bad or good. In any event, we are a combination of both. However, there are more artists and creative thinkers on Salt Spring, plus people who are searching for peace and tranquility, which tends to bring out our introversion (again, not a bad thing). Perhaps that is the answer. Plus being "loud" and "out there" is more noticeable in a small community which may put a damper on extroversion in public.
sallyipf

15 years ago

Introverts spent more time on the computer, so are likely to be disproportionately represented.
SSBarer

15 years ago

the book I read recently, The Introvert Advantage, suggested that about 25% of the population at large are predominantly introvert.

And, I can see a number of reasons like those stated above, why SSI may have a higher than average representation.

Introvert and proud of it.
islandwoman

15 years ago

Why so many introverts on SSI? If we are comparing to the literature, could the results of the survey be because of our interpretation of what is meant by "mostly" introverted or extroverted?

Before reading Jung I may have answered that quiet, solitary, souls were all introverts and that extroverts were out there partiers. As an extrovert who loves my own space and needs quiet, and who talked this letter through with my daughter too many times, I love the question and question the stats.

According to Myers Briggs Type Indicator, based on Jungian pscyh, Introversion and Extroversion describe the manner people attend to and make sense of their worlds, and how they draw energy from their environments.

Introverts, according to MBTI, like to be more reflective, preferring to think ideas through then talk about them. Because of their internal referencing they are less inclined to gather energy from talking or being in large groups.

Extroverts on the other hand, get energy through talking about their thoughts and ideas, and thrive in arenas that they can speak about them.
mandala

15 years ago

Just an observation but maybe it is more likely that introverts would be on the computer, on sites like saltspring exchange. It would be interesting to take the same poll on the street in Ganges.
FernwoodCafe

15 years ago

I am with islandwoman. People too often confuse introversion and extroversion with shy and outgoing. It doesn't surprise me that SSI has a higher percentage of introverted people. Many artists, thinkers, writers, and generally creative people are introverted...and outgoing. I also underwent a Myers Brigss and I scored as an outgoing introvert. Once I understood what each of those things meant, I could completely relate. A similar test (with proper explanation of what each thing meant) would be very interesting with a much higher sample.
Anke Bosman

15 years ago

The best similar test is developed here on Salt Spring Island and partly in the Netherlands:

Go to http://www.ThePersonalScan.com for English or in Dutch to http://www.Personality-Matters.nl .

The test is free as is the summary of your Personality.

If you want to know more feel free to contact me: anke@vitaleo.net

(Full disclosure: these websites and tests are developed by my husband Robert Bosman }

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