It’s hard to tell if someone’s an introvert at first glance.

From Barack Obama, to Meryl Streep, to Michael Jordan— the stereotype of the shy and loner introvert just doesn’t really hold up.

They might be confident, outspoken, energetic, and very friendly…but deep down, they’re actually an introvert at heart.

But while challenging, it’s worth figuring out.

Knowing someone’s personality can not only help us better understand them, it can also guide us on how to love and appreciate them better.

Want to know if someone you know is an introvert?

Observe how they act.

Here are 7 tell-tale signs that someone is an introvert, according to psychology.

1) They do their best work when they’re alone

According to a study on speed of sensorimotor processing, introverts spend more time processing information compared to extroverts.

It’s because introverts process information more thoughtfully before moving on to new ones.

And for them to achieve this—to really dig deep— they need to be alone and without distractions.

Sure, they can still work well in groups, but they perform much better in solitude.

As novelist Laurence Sterne once said, “In solitude the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself.”

So…do you notice that it’s as if they’re wearing a “don’t disturb” sign on their forehead when they’re working?

Do they go into hibernation then come out with the work accomplished?

Then they’re probably an introvert even if they’re a bit of a chatterbox.

2) They don’t get bored easily

Introverts and extroverts respond to dopamine—aka the “feel good” hormone—differently. 

According to Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, the dopamine reward network of extroverts is more active than the brains of introverts. 

And this is why introverts need less dopamine to feel engaged and entertained.

So…pay attention.

Do you notice that they don’t need a lot to have fun? 

Are they fine “doing nothing” all day?

Do they actually find immense pleasure in small things like gardening, reading a book while drinking coffee, or short walks?

If they’re the type who doesn’t need to be on extreme adventures and big parties to have a really good time, then they must be an introvert!

3) They’re highly imaginative

In her book “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”, writer and researcher Susan Cain says that introverts are generally more imaginative.

“It’s as if extroverts are seeing ‘what is,’ while their introverted peers are asking ‘what if.’” 

These are the people who are daydreaming— deep in thoughts of ideas, concepts, and worlds of possibilities.

And this could be the reason why many creatives— from artists and writers, to philosophers and inventors— tend to be more introverted.

So…do you know someone who’s always coming up with innovative ideas, questioning norms, pushing boundaries and daydreaming? 

Trust me—they’re likely an introvert.

4) They tend to overthink

There’s a study on cerebral blood flow and personality that examined the brains of both introverts and extroverts.

They found out that even in a relaxed state, the introverted brain is more active.

Their minds are ON almost all of the time.

This is the reason why you’ll notice them: 

• Get lost in their own thoughts
• Ask a lot of questions
• Solve puzzles and quizzes
• Think of solutions to problems
• See situations from different perspectives

Thinking is life and sadly, this can often lead them to develop anxiety too when they don’t know how to manage their overactive mind.

5) They’re not afraid to be different

If everyone goes right, they’d go left if that’s what they really want (or that’s what they think is right).

They don’t care if people would think they’re being “difficult,”

They don’t care if people could hate them for it,

They don’t care if people would beg them to change their mind.

As far as they’re concerned, they don’t have to do what everyone else is doing.

In other words, introverts generally have less f*cks to give.

Research on social conformity shows the differing effects of societal pressure on extroverts and introverts.  

While extroverts give more conforming responses as the pressure gets higher, introverts respond the same. 

But it’s not because introverts don’t feel pressured, they just don’t change their responses based on it.

6) They’re gifted

While not all introverts are gifted, statistics show that around 70% of gifted people are introverts, according to CNBC.

These are the people who’ll perform brilliantly onstage or give a rousing speech and then will only spend a few minutes socializing afterwards.

They’ll lead a large conference and engage everyone but will retreat to their room during lunch to recenter and then they will spend the rest of the week happily alone.

They have above-average intelligence and they’re brilliantly talented but they start to get drained the more they are around other people.

These are the people who can spend weeks in solitude doing research, writing a book, or practicing a craft.

Their introverts’ giftedness relies on their uncanny ability to hyperfocus, which doesn’t really do well with the distraction of company.

7) They’re introspective and self-aware

For introverts, introspection is as natural as breathing. 

They look at the world with self-awareness and they are always evaluating as they are experiencing. 

Let’s say they saw a beggar not sharing his food with another beggar.

They’d ask themselves questions like “What if it’s me? Would I do the same thing?” or “Am I like this in other ways in my life?” 

And they’d reflect on bigger things too like “What is generosity? Aren’t we all just built to be selfish?”

And because they love to dig deep and ask important questions, they tend to be more self-aware.

Because of this heightened sensitivity, they need to digest and have alone time to process their thoughts and emotions otherwise they begin to feel overwhelmed.

Turns out, this introspective “time in” to check with one’s self is highly beneficial and is a key component in neuroscientist Dr. Daniel Siegel’s Healthy Mind Platter (mental activities that optimize brain matter and create wellbeing).

So because they’re introspective, they’re also more at peace with themselves and the world around them.

Final thoughts:

While introverts share similar character traits, everyone is unique in their expression.

With 30-50% of the population being introverts, having an understanding of introversion may help us all get along better with far less judgment for each other.

Whether it’s the guy you’re dating or your client, if you can spot an introvert, you’ll be equipped to navigate their personality.

And if you realize that you’re an introvert yourself, then embrace your introversion. There’s no need to change, and there’s definitely no need to pretend you aren’t one.