Difference Between Introvert and Shy

The key difference between introvert and shy is that introverts avoid social situations because they do not like them while shy people avoid social situations because of low self-esteem, fear, and anxiety.

Although many people assume that introverts are shy since both shy people and introverts show similar behaviour patterns, there is a distinct difference between introvert and shy. Introverts can choose to be social and interact with others although they may find it mentally draining. However, shy people find it very difficult to be social and interact with others.

CONTENT

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What Does Introvert Mean
3. What Does Shy Mean
4. What is the Similarity Between Introvert and Shy
5. Side by Side Comparison –  Introvert vs Shy in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What Does Introvert Mean?

An introvert is basically a calm and quiet person who prefers to spend time alone rather than often being with other people. Also, this type of people may keep their thoughts to themselves and rarely express their ideas and opinions. Therefore, introverts generally display reserved and solitary behaviour. However, being introverted is not the same as being shy. Although an introvert may seem shy to others, this is not always a correct label. Introverts simply choose not to be social or interact with others because they do not like it. Moreover, although introverts are unlikely to enjoy spending time with large groups of people and find it difficult and mentally draining to interact with strangers, they do enjoy being with close friends.

Moreover, introverts usually show interests in solitary activities such as reading, writing, using computers, and hiking. Highly introverted people usually prefer professions that involve solitary work; for example, writing, sculpting, painting, composing, etc. According to some psychologists, introverts’ energy expands during reflection and dwindles during interactions.

Furthermore, introverts are thinkers and observers. They are more likely to think well before they speak and they like to observe situations or activities before they take part in them. Moreover, they prefer plans and set goals and detest sudden changes.

What Does Shy Mean?

A shy person is someone who feels nervous and timid in the company of others, especially in the company of strangers. Stammering, blushing, easily feeling embarrassed, and desire to avoid social situations are some prominent features you can observe in shy people.  Moreover, shyness is generally a common occurrence with unfamiliar situations and people.

Shy people do not have confidence in themselves to confront others. As a result, they tend to get easily affected by their immense anxiety and become helpless, not knowing how to overcome this anxiety and interact with others even though they really want to interact and connect with others. As a consequence, shy people eventually avoids social situations since it makes them uncomfortable and they end up feeling awkward not being able to move on with others. Therefore, shy people do not avoid social situations because they don’t like it; it is their lack of confidence, fear, and anxiety that make them avoid such situations. Hence, this is the key difference between introvert and shy.

It is also important to note that a child who is shy towards strangers may eventually lose this trait and may become more socially adept with age. However, for some people, shyness may become a lifelong trait.

What is the Similarity Between Introvert and Shy?

• Both introverts and shy people display similar behaviour such as avoiding social situations and interacting with others.

What is the Difference Between Introvert and Shy?

An introvert is basically a calm and quiet person who prefers to spend time alone rather than often being with other people while a shy person is someone who feels nervous and timid in the company of others. Therefore, the key difference between introvert and shy is the reason for their behaviour. Introverts avoid social situations and interacting with others because they prefer spending time alone. However, shy people avoid social situations because of their low self-esteem, anxiety, and fear. Also, shy people may like to interact with others, but their shyness prevents them from doing this.

Moreover, a notable difference between introvert and shy is that the introverts may have great social skills although they may find it mentally draining to spend a lot of time with others. However, this is not the case with shy people. Furthermore, being an introvert is a personality trait. In contrast, extreme shyness may be a condition that requires therapy.

The below infographic summarizes the difference between introvert and shy in tabular form.

Summary – Introvert vs Shy

There is a distinct difference between introvert and shy although they display similar behaviour. The key difference between introvert and shy is that introverts avoid social situations and interacting with others because they prefer spending time alone while shy people avoid social situations because of their low self-esteem, anxiety, and fear.

Image Courtesy:

1. “731754” (CC0) via Pxhere
2. “Child And Books” (Public Domain) via PublicDomainPictures.net
3. “1606572” (CC0) via Pixabay