"The reality, however, turns out to be far different. Psychologists have now tested the influence of personality on people’s mental health during the pandemic – and their results suggest that introverts found it much harder to cope with the isolation than many had expected."I must admit the mental health aspect of the pandemic took me somewhat by surprise. Before the pandemic, it hadn't occurred to me that quite so many people were mentally affected by being isolated from others but clearly they are (the fact that it's been a perennial subject in the media ever since the pandemic began seems sufficient evidence). Although I note from some other recent reports it's likely been overstated and that people are actually more resilient than the stories make out.
(Please don't accuse me of denying the fact that many are so affected, I'm only trying to cut to the facts. Also, it is not my intention to make light of the fact that this damn pandemic has caused so many people to suffer greatly through loss of loved ones, loss of their income and their jobs, etc., but if we're to get a reasonable gauge of the facts then we must be mindful to separate out a person's intrinsic introversion/extroversion from that caused by his/her experiences of the pandemic. Right, things like this are never simple.)
One of the problems with stories like this is that of definition. To cut to the chase, we do need to disentangle and cut away a bit of the hype. What actually does it mean to be introverted—and how is introversion different from being, say, shy of others—or just indifferent to them or to certain situations, etc.
For example, if many of these instances of introversion were mistaken and they were in fact cases of shyness then it might account for this headline/story—for in pre-pandemic times, circumstances would have forced shy people to mingle more often and it's likely they would have appreciated the fact that being forced into the company of others would have been good for their psyche.
OK, what I'm really saying is that popular/straw polls of people's psychological state—like the one in this story—are unlikely to be sufficiently rigorous to give us a true picture of the situation—even if their questions are graded (as in this poll)—and thus this may dilute or divert help away from the smaller number who really do need appreciable help.
I'll try to illustrate by example why a simplistic approach to the problem isn't the best idea by being a guinea pig for the poll in the article:
"Are you inclined to keep in the background on social occasions?"
Well, it depends on many things, and with this question I'd rank myself about 3. With groups I know well or reasonably well, I am sometimes the center of attention (in the predominant or amusing sense), at other times I act like everyone else and mingle normally without undue attention. When I'm with a large group of strangers it depends on whether I've a common interest with them or not. If I do, then there's no problem, I can integrate so well that sometimes I'm among the last to leave. If I have little or nothing in common (and I'm required to be there for some reason), then I can be bored shitless (as I find idle chatter boring) and I'll keep in the background—I'll look at the ceiling or out the window, etc. (and given half a chance I'd likely leave). On the other hand, if I'm in this group together with a small number of people that I know then I'll separate out and only mingle with them whilst essentially ignoring the larger group.
"Are you inclined to limit your acquaintances to a select few?"
Sometimes yes, sometimes no (here too I'd rank myself about 3). I have a reasonable number of acquaintances (although I've never tried to count them). Also, I'd have to rate each person on a similar 1-to-5 scale depending on the closeness of our relationship. Obviously, my relationship with people in Group 5 would be much closer than to those in Group 1.
"Do you like to have many social engagements?"
Generally not, most are trivial and a waste of time and I've usually much better things to do. That said, I rarely miss an opportunity to meet and socialize with friends and close acquaintances (sometimes I've even gone to the extent of traveling across international borders to do so). Note: As it stands, I am unable to rank this question, as the answer is highly dependent on circumstance. I'd rate my first comment about 2 and the second between 4 and 5.
"Are you a happy-go-lucky individual?"
In some aspects yes, but after an examination of the integrand I reckon I'd be classified as a 'no'. If I had to rate myself then it'd be between 2 and 3.
"Do you like to play pranks upon others?"
Yes, but not often, as pranks can go very wrong and people can either be hurt or their feelings hurt (I try definitely not to embarrass people and I'm upset if I do). I only play pranks on people I know well and even then, I'm careful who I select (personality must be considered, otherwise pranks backfire). Also, I know that pranks are intrinsically reciprocal and that means I'll eventually end up being the 'victim' with almost 100% certainty.
Thus, it is obvious both introversion and extroversion have degrees and these traits can be inherent to an individual and or they depend on his or her situation and circumstance, it's unfortunate that popular reports don't echo facts as they actually exist.
Read into the following comment whatever you wish: whilst the pandemic has forced many changes to my life such as being in lockdown and often isolated from others/family for long periods, I can say honestly that this isolation has never been an issue with me. In fact, I've rather enjoyed the lockdown despite its obvious inconveniences. Being free of having to bother with social events, or being on time for work or appointments, or having to deal with a myriad of other time-driven events, has been rather liberating. As the article points out, I've been free to do many other activities that introverts find 'interesting and energizing'. And they're mostly activities that I otherwise have never had sufficient time to do—anyway not to the extent that I would have wished. I've even had more time to read HN articles and to make pontifical pronouncements thereon. ;-)
Nevertheless, despite having so many obvious introverted traits I know that I'm far from being a definitive/classical case of introversion—as my extroversion must often have its say. As I said, these matters are complex.