Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

Do Introverts Get Bullied More Easily?

I posted a thread on introverts and extroverts last night, and some people were saying that introverts get bullied more/more easily.

Would you say that this is true, or not? (Even if it is true, ofc, it isn't their fault).

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

Cinnie

Probably, because we tend to have a smaller group of friends and are sometimes perceived as shy because we often aren't the ones dominating conversations in large groups like in school settings.

Because we regenerate our energy from doing solitary things we are more likely to be perceived as weird or loners.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 2

loloway

From my experience, no. I was seen as the really nice shy guy so I don't think it's in peoples interest to bully me haha.

Reply 3

D.Wright

From my experience, people tend to leave them alone and instead they focus on the competing extroverts for attention.

Well my school was a middle/upper class school with a lot of introverts. It was also the best school in my county with around 5 students gaining a place at Oxbridge each year.

I guess if you're in a school in the inner city, you might be bullied but I'm glad I've never experienced this as an introvert myself but I know many who have.

Introverts are likely to be bullied if they're noticeably different in their attitude and appearance to others but then again, so is anyone introvert or not. I think it's more about social expectation. If you're more attractive than the extroverted 'bully' you might quietly intimidate them by sitting nearby.

But I think it's more to do with personality than simply being introverted and extroverted.

So, I think introverts don't get bullied more easily than anyone else. I do, however, think that being an introvert in conjunction with an undesirable personality is what would get you bullied by others who might disagree with your personality but I think the introvert part isn't as important and is a byproduct of a personality type.

No.

I've always been introverted and quiet. I was teased for being quiet and perceived as weird partly because I rarely socialised or disliked working with people but no one wanted to provoke me. I was a loner in school and most of my peers were extroverts. I guess I was seen as weird because they were loud and I was shy and quiet in comparison to them.

I also suppose that being introverted sometimes separates someone from the crowd which can make them a more obvious target for bullies. However, the introverts in my class were left alone to get on with their own things while having lots of friends was seen as competition between the introverts.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 6

Tyrion_Lannister

I used to think I was an extrovert because I'm confident but actually I've recently found I'm more of an introvert. I was bullied at school for preferring to read/sketch than play pathetic popularity games and kiss arse of the "cool" people, so yeah

Reply 7

Michael!

Not all introverts get bullied. But very few extroverts do. I knew a guy at school who was really popular but a massive introvert.

Generally the people who got bullied were shy and reserved. People tend to pick on the weak, it's horrible but that's the way they think. I'm an extrovert when I'm out socially, when I'm in the gym and playing sport but in my bedroom when I'm on my own I turn into an introvert. Which might be why I come on here and chat. But anyway, when I was at school I never got bullied, purely because I was popular, sporty and a little bit arrogant. Someone who is the opposite of those things attracts attention from bullies and it makes them an easy target for them to bully and feel better about themselves. They're not going to pick on someone bigger/higher up the social ladder than themselves. Bullies tend to be pretty weak.

Reply 8

Tyrion_Lannister

Original post by Cinnie

Yeah this. I remember someone saying to me "haha you only have 5 friends!" "Yeah and that's the way I like it" "wait what?" "I don't want a group of hangers on and a massive crowd.." "Wtf you're ****ing weird!" :rolleyes:

Reply 9

Andy98

Original post by AllyTee

Yes and no. Bullies see the "lonely" kids as targets - often these are introverts. However, introverts often have thicker skins so are able to take more than extroverts.

In my opinion, introverts are bullied more often, but it's harder to bully them.

Reply 10

wg99

Introverts may not get bullied more easily but when they are bullied they may be less able to handle it the way they'd want, ie fight back, show aggression, etc.

Reply 11

Maid Marian

Yeah, I think so. Probably because introverts are more likely to be shy so are an easier target.

Reply 12

Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Life is a prey on the weak mentality.

Weak people will get bullied because they are quieter or less confident.

Bullies are not going to target anybody that will fight back, because they themselves are weak scum.

Reply 13

How Are You?

No. People who don't stand up for themselves and those don't know how to defend themselves get bullied. I've seen extroverts and introverts get bullied equally. But the one who is mentally and physically strong is the only one who is not bullied irregardless of him being an extrovert or an introvert.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 14

Limpopo

I think there is a certain level of apprehension felt toward introverts not only by potential bullys but by many people be they potential friends or colleagues.

It is unknown territory, perhaps sometimes almost alien. Introverts can sometimes emit a forcefield which actually tends to keep others away. Some times they can find that by sheer intangible force, they can clear a room or find that even on a crowded bus or restaurant ,no one sits close to them.