There are two students in the class and the teacher gives a project to work on. The introverted student doesn't want to join because he feels being with other students is stressful. But a shy student wants to join in, he is rather afraid to interact with others.Which one are you?Introverts can interact with people, they just don't want to. Shy people want to interact with people, but they can't, they're afraid of judgement.(P.S. - It is possible for a person to be both)

SHY or INTROVERT - know in 2 minutes

Introverts enjoy time alone and get emotionally drained after spending a lot of time with others.Shy people don't necessarily want to be alone but are afraid of interacting with others. They are considerate of what others think about them, their looks, their behaviour, etc. They fear being rejected, being judged or rather being negatively evaluated.  They are afraid of social disapproval.

The Difference Between Introverts and Shy people

Quiet people have the loudest minds

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Understanding the Dimensions of Introversion and Shyness
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<div data-tooltip="Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of &amp;#34;Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder&amp;#34; and &amp;#34;7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety.&amp;#34;" data-inline-tooltip="true" data-tooltip-position-x="left" data-tooltip-position-y="top" dir="ltr">
<a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/arlin-cuncic-3024162" dir="ltr">Arlin Cuncic</a>

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<div dir="ltr">Updated on August 15, 2021</div>
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<a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/adah-chung-4842658" dir="ltr">Adah Chung</a>

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</button></form><figure><img src="https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/GfTBLRzkbBY4C49k8YNvTJwSLGY=/500x350/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/530281063-1-56a89e605f9b58b7d0f3a999.jpg" srcset="https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/4IVCHnhMJZIHG_Y302vB9M6cLgE=/300x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/530281063-1-56a89e605f9b58b7d0f3a999.jpg 300w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/iA6AMDw4DD3zovLgzPKtI4ud25M=/425x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/530281063-1-56a89e605f9b58b7d0f3a999.jpg 425w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/d-PWCV073GVNKIjh9PJscAqVT_A=/550x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/530281063-1-56a89e605f9b58b7d0f3a999.jpg 550w, https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/GHbvhRajnbpWM4Hk-EDV_1IEgmk=/800x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/530281063-1-56a89e605f9b58b7d0f3a999.jpg 800w" alt="530281063-1.jpg" width="721" height="540"><figcaption dir="auto"> Outgoing introverts do not lack confidence. Getty Images / Thomas Barwick</figcaption></figure>
Shyness and introversion are commonly mistaken as being the same thing. <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/best-self-help-books-for-social-anxiety-3024248" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">Shyness</a> involves fear of negative evaluation (and is a milder form of <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/social-anxiety-disorder-4157220" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">social anxiety</a>),1﻿ whereas <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/signs-you-are-an-introvert-2795427" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="3" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">introversion</a> refers to a tendency toward becoming over-stimulated and the need to be alone to gain energy.

The opposite of shyness is being outgoing, while the opposite of introversion is <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-extroversion-2795994" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">extroversion</a>. These concepts are similar but different.
The outgoing person is not afraid of others and has a tendency to approach—be it at a party, when meeting someone new, or when making plans with friends.
The <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/signs-you-are-an-extrovert-2795426" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">extrovert</a> appears similar, often making friends easily. However, the core feature of the extrovert is a need for stimulation and time spent with others. This is reflected in brain neuroimaging studies that show different activation of areas of the brain in extroverts compared to introverts.2﻿

To summarize, we can think of each of these concepts as follows:

Shy: Fear of negative evaluation, a tendency toward avoidance.

Outgoing: Tendency to approach others, no fear of being around other people.

Introvert: Becomes easily overstimulated, needs time alone to regain energy after spending time with people.

Extrovert: Need for stimulation, recharges by spending time with other people, feels depleted after spending too much time alone.

Where do you think you fit in the introversion/extroversion and shy/outgoing dimensions? Obviously, we can't categorize people, but we can think of most individuals as leaning towards one of the following four groups:
<UL><LI>Outgoing Extrovert (no fear, need for stimulation)</LI><LI>Shy Extrovert (fear, need for stimulation)</LI><LI>Outgoing Introvert (no fear, easily overstimulated)</LI><LI>Shy Introvert (fear, easily overstimulated)</LI></UL>
To help figure out which group you most closely match, I've created a table that describes how a person leaning toward each category might respond to some typical social/interaction scenarios.

Have a look below and see if any of the patterns sound right for you.
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<tbody data-check="-1" dir="ltr">
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<td dir="ltr"></td>
<td dir="ltr"> Outgoing-Extrovert </td>
<td dir="ltr"> Shy-Extrovert </td>
<td dir="ltr"> Outgoing-Introvert </td>
<td dir="ltr"> Shy-Introvert </td>
</tr>
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<td dir="ltr"> At a party </td>
<td dir="ltr"> This is so much fun! I feel so energized. I can’t wait to talk to everyone. </td>
<td dir="ltr"> I love being around all these people, but I’m too scared to talk to them. </td>
<td dir="ltr"> I really enjoy talking and getting to know people one-on-one. The whole crowd scene is a bit overwhelming though. </td>
<td dir="ltr"> I wish I could just go home. It is exhausting being around all these people, and I am too nervous to talk to anyone. </td>
</tr>
<tr dir="ltr">
<td dir="ltr"> At the library </td>
<td dir="ltr"> I’m falling asleep. Who can I find to talk to? Maybe I should text someone. I wonder what Jenny is doing tonight. </td>
<td dir="ltr"> It’s pretty boring being at the library, but at least I can hide in a corner and not make a fool of myself. </td>
<td dir="ltr"> I love being at the library. I want to learn about so many topics. Maybe I should chat with the librarian, I bet they are a wealth of knowledge. </td>
<td dir="ltr"> I love being at the library. I can hide my nose in a book and read all day. I’m too scared to ask the librarian a question though. </td>
</tr>
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<td dir="ltr"> When the phone rings </td>
<td dir="ltr"> Oh! I wonder who that could be. (Picks up after first ring). </td>
<td dir="ltr"> Hmmm. I wonder who that could be? I really want to find out, but I am afraid to answer the phone. (Picks up too late). </td>
<td dir="ltr"> Oh, I really hope that is Jane. I can’t wait to find out how her trip was. (Picks up after a few rings, lets Jane do most of the talking). </td>
<td dir="ltr"> Oh no. I can’t pick up the phone. What if I make a fool of myself? I don’t really want to talk to anyone anyway. (Lets it go to voicemail). </td>
</tr>
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<td dir="ltr"> Meeting someone for the first time </td>
<td dir="ltr"> (Walks over and introduces herself) “Hi, my name is Sarah, I grew up with Kate. What’s your name? </td>
<td dir="ltr"> (Waits nervously hoping to be introduced) “Nice to meet you.” </td>
<td dir="ltr"> (Waits for a quiet moment and introduces himself) “You have a lovely home. I noticed you have quite a collection of books, are you an avid reader? My name is Tom by the way.” </td>
<td dir="ltr"> (Hides, hoping to avoid introductions) “Nice to meet you.” </td>
</tr>
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<td dir="ltr"> In a meeting at work </td>
<td dir="ltr"> I love meetings, it is great to be able to talk through ideas in a group. I like the give and take, and always do a fair share of the talking. </td>
<td dir="ltr"> I like getting together for meetings with everyone, but I’m too nervous to share my ideas. </td>
<td dir="ltr"> Meetings tire me out. I like to think ideas through before I share my thoughts, and it’s hard to do in a meeting. I always take notes, and then follow-up with people once I’ve had a chance to sort through everything. </td>
<td dir="ltr"> I am terrified of meetings. Not only is it too much listening to everyone banter about ideas, but I’m so nervous sitting there that I can’t even follow what is being said. I wish I could just hide at my desk. </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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2 Sources</div>

There is a general confusion between shyness and being introverted. This can clear you on which one you are.

Are you shy or just introverted? See where you fit on this chart that displays typical behaviors of shy vs. outgoing introverts and extroverts.

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

communication

Communication

Understanding the Dimensions of Introversion and Shyness

Shyness and introversion are commonly mistaken as being the same thing. <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/best-self-help-books-for-social-anxiety-3024248">Shyness </a>involves fear of negative evaluation (and is a milder form of <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/social-anxiety-disorder-4157220">social anxiety </a>),1 ﻿ whereas <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/signs-you-are-an-introvert-2795427">introversion </a>refers to a tendency toward becoming over-stimulated and the need to be alone to gain energy.

The opposite of shyness is being outgoing, while the opposite of introversion is <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-extroversion-2795994">extroversion </a>. These concepts are similar but different.

The outgoing person is not afraid of others and has a tendency to approach—be it at a party, when meeting someone new, or when making plans with friends.

The <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/signs-you-are-an-extrovert-2795426">extrovert </a>appears similar, often making friends easily. However, the core feature of the extrovert is a need for stimulation and time spent with others. This is reflected in brain neuroimaging studies that show different activation of areas of the brain in extroverts compared to introverts.2 ﻿

To summarize, we can think of each of these concepts as follows:

Shy: Fear of negative evaluation, a tendency toward avoidance.

Outgoing: Tendency to approach others, no fear of being around other people.

Introvert: Becomes easily overstimulated, needs time alone to regain energy after spending time with people.

Extrovert: Need for stimulation, recharges by spending time with other people, feels depleted after spending too much time alone.

Where do you think you fit in the introversion/extroversion and shy/outgoing dimensions? Obviously, we can't categorize people, but we can think of most individuals as leaning towards one of the following four groups:

<ul><li>Outgoing Extrovert (no fear, need for stimulation) </li><li>Shy Extrovert (fear, need for stimulation) </li><li>Outgoing Introvert (no fear, easily overstimulated) </li><li>Shy Introvert (fear, easily overstimulated) </li> </ul>

To help figure out which group you most closely match, I've created a table that describes how a person leaning toward each category might respond to some typical social/interaction scenarios.

Have a look below and see if any of the patterns sound right for you.

Meeting someone for the first time

Where Do You Fit on the Dimensions of Introversion and Shyness Scale?

SHY or INTROVERT - know in 2 minutes

The Difference Between Introverts and Shy people

STEPHEN HAWKING

CURATED BY

CURATOR'S NOTE

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