Book Review: Susan Cain's Quiet

QUIET

The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

by Susan Cain

In Quiet, Susan Cain begins by stating that Western culture extols the Extrovert Ideal – “the belief that the ideal self is gregarious, alpha, and comfortable in the spotlight.” 

Cain traces the rise of extroversion in the Western world to the turn of the 20^th century and the shift from a Culture of Character to a Culture of Personality, that is, from a focus on and admiration for integrity to an obsession with charm or popularity.   In the process of this shift, Cain argues that we lost the reason for our pursuit of the extrovert ideal.  At first, it was for a self-serving reason – to be successful; however, now we’ve come to believe that by developing an extroverted personality, we become better people! 

According to Cain, a by-product of the extrovert ideal in the workplace is a groupthink mentality on collaboration.  According to her, “The New Groupthink is also practiced in our schools, via an increasingly popular method of instruction called ‘cooperative’ or ‘small group’ learning:  “Our classroom desks are increasingly arranged in pods, the better to foster group learning,  and research suggests that the vast majority of teachers believe that the ideal student is an extrovert.”  She maintains that the internet has exasperated the groupthink around the extrovert ideal of teamwork.

Where does the ascendancy of the extrovert ideal leave introverts?  In a word - devalued.  In contrast to extroverts, introverts draw energy and inspiration from solitude and prefer working independently.  In a society dominated by extroversion, introverted individuals either engage in pretend-extroversion or retreat into the shadows.

Yet Susan Cain cautions that the extrovert ideal is not universal.  In fact, eastern cultures place far greater value on characteristics of introversion, such as quietness, humility, and sensitivity. 

She also maintains that, when it comes to leadership, introverts are needed as much as extroverts, as they are the ying to the yang of extroversion in good decision making.  While extroverts are risk takers who are highly motivated to seek rewards, to the extent they may miss warning signs in the pursuit of an initiative, introverts are more likely to be sensitive to all factors at play and cautious with respect to potential pitfalls. 

Likewise, Cain argues that our classrooms also need to make room for introverts. She points out that research suggests that the key to achievement and innovation is Deliberate Practice, which is only possible through solitude and working independently. Furthermore, over-stimulation, group brain-storming, and peer pressure – all associated with collaborative learning – can impede learning and stifle creativity.  Thus, while many of our schools are designed for extroverts, they would enhance achievement for all students by becoming more introvert-friendly, balancing activity-based learning opportunities with time for quiet reflection.

Cain also offers specific advice for teachers for supporting introverted students:

-          Don’t think of introversion as something that needs to be cured; do help introverted students with social skills and public speaking, but don’t push them to live up to the extrovert ideal

-          Balance teaching methods – collaborative learning and independent study – to serve all students

-          Praise introverted students for their interests and encourage them to pursue their passions

As an introvert who has achieved great success – both personal and professional – in an extrovert-dominated world, Susan Cain was well positioned to write the definitive book on extroversion and introversion.  In Quiet, she has achieved just that!