If psychopathy is the pathological extreme of extroversion (in the sense of sensation-seeking), what is the introversion equivalent?
I ask this because everywhere i read on this forum, everyone says the key to success in this field is networking. I don't network well. I'm as introverted as they come, period. I'm not talking about shyness here, and i'd hope on a PhD subforum that this is not something that would be confused for shyness.
This flaw of mine became most poignant at my interview for a doctoral program a few weeks ago. After we were allowed to "freely socialize" and just talk with other prospective students, current students and faculty, I felt like a fish out of water. Hours went by and i managed to make some conversation and asked my questions but i just couldn't believe the social stamina of these people.
What advice or tips would any of you give to someone who requires such a conscious effort to talk to people?
Let's hope everything went well with all other aspects of your interviews and you go forward with this goal. Considering where you posted this question, my initial suggestion is finding a good therapist of your own. Depending on your program, your training-focus, and the client population you deal with, therapy for therapists-in-training is highly beneficial. YOU (and only you) need to understand WHY you do not seek out others especially if what you hope to attain is 'riding' on your sociability or lack thereof.
There are so many factors: Are you internally-focused, are you embarrassed of something, is it your self-esteem, is it your own personality make-up (obviously), is it others, are you too arrogant to reach out to others, are you too insecure to commiserate with others...etc, etc. There are so many responses to your question, which are personal, dynamic, and societal.
I never say the key to success is networking. I say it is a combination of determination and focus. Networking is a side note to me. Try focusing on each individual in front of you...not the big picture. When I'm weary or feeling horrible, I tend not to socialize...but for me, they are mood changes. You have to understand if it's your temperament or situational (or both...if others seem monochromatic and I'm moody...forget about it, I sit in the corner until the red wine kicks in...which is not the right answer either).
I feel the previous post of strategically-timed bathroom breaks is the best advice that someone can give you here without teetering on personal advice. There are courses to teach business-minded people strategies on how to learn networking, like rehearsal of first names and association of key facts with your personal history. You could look into that, but it's more like skills training. The psychology of introversion is MUCH deeper.
I'm not clear about your initial statement. If you say "psychopathy is the pathological extreme of extroversion (in the sense of sensation-seeking)," then there are certainly equivalents for introversion, like antisocial, schizoid, and avoidant personalities. Psychopathy falls along a continuum of disorders in which there are pathological extremes at both ends of the spectrum.
There's so much more going on with the act of networking. And if your personality doesn't lend itself towards networking, then skills-training may help through some self-directed research (on the internet or focused groups) or good old fashion therapy with someone who is kind, thoughtful, understanding and will help you explore what's exactly going on here. Also, you are going to be expected to be that type of kind, thoughtful, understanding (not socially-awkward person) with anyone who walks into your therapy room when you are the clinical psychologist-in-training, so it's important to understand what your introversion is all about, what are the limits of it, and can you supersede it when necessary (i.e. social networking events as a prospective applicant)?
Hope this helps!
Moderators, please feel free to comment and I will revise my response so it's not teetering on personal advice.
