Introverts: Writing vs Speaking

Many introverts are natural writers, but speaking their thoughts out loud can be harder. Here’s the latest science behind this common introvert issue.

Why are words so hard for introverts? Let’s look at the science.

If you’ve ever heard someone describe themselves as a “visual thinker,” they mean they think in pictures, not words — which is actually very common. According to the Harvard scientists, this tendency appears to be ingrained in the most primitive parts of our brains, probably because language is a “recent” development for humans (you know, we started assigning different grunts to objects a mere 100,000 years ago).

Of course, those images we “see” in our minds need translation, if we’re going to get our message across to other hominid-like creatures. This takes focus and energy, and it can be an inefficient process. To put it mildly, our brains are still playing evolutionary catch up.

But that’s not the whole story when it comes to introverts.

Why Are Words Harder for Introverts?

If you’re an introvert like me, sometimes words seem, well, extra hard. Your “word problem” may get you labeled as quiet or shy, when in reality, you have plenty to say. Sometimes it reflects negatively on us introverts because we come across like we don’t know what we’re talking about, even though many introverts love learning and often become subject-matter experts in their chosen fields.

In a society that values fast and frequent talkers, it can be tough to be an introvert.

Contrast long-term memory with working memory (sometimes called short-term memory), which is limited and retains information for mere seconds. Working memory puts information on the tip of your tongue. It’s easy to access, but you don’t hold onto it for long, unless you move it to long-term storage.

Here’s the kicker: Introverts tend to favor long-term memory over working memory, while extroverts do the opposite, according to Dr. Marti Olsen Laney in her 2002 book, The Introvert Advantage. And this preference for long-term memory can make speech challenging for us “quiet ones.”

How Long-Term Memory Use Challenges Introverts

How does our reliance on long-term memory complicate things for introverts? Well, pulling information out of long-term memory can be slow and tricky. You need the right association or “key” to unlock the memory you’re trying to retrieve.

For example, let’s say you were trying to remember your first date with your now-spouse. Walking by an Italian restaurant, you catch a whiff of olive oil, and BAM, the smell reminds you of the dish you ordered that night. In turn, this memory “unlocks” more information about the date — what she was wearing, what she said, and how you dropped a meatball on the floor and tried to hide it by covering it with your shoe.

Although complex information can be stored for long periods of time in long-term memory, reaching into it might complicate things for introverts when they speak.

Anxiety Makes It Harder to Think

Another reason speaking can be difficult for introverts has to do with anxiety. Not every introvert experiences social anxiety, and not all anxious people are introverts. Even some very outgoing extroverts feel it! Nevertheless, it’s not uncommon for introverts to experience some level of stress and discomfort in social situations, whether they have a diagnosed anxiety disorder or not. After all, our comfort zones are back home, alone, with a good book or show.

Anyone who’s ever suffered from anxiety knows it’s mentally and emotionally draining. That mental drain can make it harder to think, focus, and recall information. During times of anxiety, big or small, the stress hormone cortisol is released, which can interfere with memory and concentration, among other things, which makes it harder to speak.

If you’re feeling anxious and struggling to speak, take a deep breath and cut yourself some slack.

Writing Uses Different Brain Pathways

If introverts commonly experience a “word problem,” it might seem strange, then, that they’re also known as talented writers. In fact, plenty of prolific authors are self-professed introverts, from John Green to J.K. Rowling. Even if you’re an introvert who doesn’t write for a living, you may prefer texting and emailing over in-person meetings or talking on the phone.

How can this be? Again, according to Laney, writing and speaking use different pathways in the brain. These writing pathways simply seem to flow more fluently and easily for introverts.

If, like me on the podcast, you find your mind going blank, the best thing you can do is try to relax and let your mind wander. When your mind wanders, it may latch onto the right key to pull up the memory you need. Buy yourself some time by saying, “I need a few moments to think about that.” If all else fails, tell the person you’ll get back to them later — via text or email.

Article by /introvertdear.com

So, what do you think?  Yea or Nay?