Many people wonder what it means towards psychology when someone prefers to be alone than in society – is it a trait, a sign of introversion or perhaps the symptoms of a problem? From a psychological perspective, preference for loneliness usually points to introversion or simply a personal preference. Introverts draw their energy from the inner world and often like to spend time alone. They enjoy their own thoughts, hobbies and interests, and crowds or loud environments can be exhausting for them. As Jelena Pantić points out, ‘An introvert is a person facing inwards. … Solitude is good for her and she doesn’t feel comfortable in the crowd.. So when one prefers solitude more than companionship, it often means that his natural personality It is more suitable for silence and peace than constant social activity. This by no means means that such a person does not like others or is incapable of socializing – quite the opposite, but loneliness is more pleasant to them and renews their energy.
The difference between loneliness and loneliness
Before we distinguish the possible causes of solitude preference, it is important to distinguish loneliness of loneliness. Psychologist Iva Gregov explains that loneliness and loneliness are often mixed, but these are completely different conditions. Loneliness is an unpleasant feeling of lack of connection with others – it feels like emptiness and social isolation, often when a person wants to socialize, but does not have it. On the other hand, loneliness is Intentional selection To be alone, she also brings positive benefits. While loneliness often torments and exhausts us, voluntary loneliness fills us with energy and enables self-reflection. This is precisely why psychologists point out: when someone says that ‘he is more pleased to be alone than in society’, he usually means loneliness as a pleasant and calming state, not loneliness. Studies confirm that solitude healthy When it is freely chosen – it can reduce stress levels and increase well-being. In a study published in the journal Science Reports It was even noted that, The more hours people spend alone, the less stress they feel. Researchers note that loneliness is problematic only when it is imposed – if a person is alone when he does not want to be alone. In other words, a person who consciously chooses to be alone benefits from that time for himself, not a feeling of emptiness and sadness.
Introversion: personality trait
As you can see, one of the main psychological reasons why someone prefers to be alone than in society is Introversion. In modern psychology, introverts are defined by the fact that the inner world is more important to them than external stimulation. Simply put, an introvert charges batteries in solitude. For example, Jelena Pantić describes a typical introvert with the words: ‘An introvert is a person facing in. He likes to think and read, loneliness pleases her and does not feel comfortable in a crowd… They are a source of energy in the inner world.’. Such people hardly like big noises or crowds – they would rather go on a quiet trip to nature or a home evening with a book than to a noisy party. However, this does not mean that introverts do not like people. On the contrary, research shows that Introverts love their friends and people in a small circle, but they are just as pleased – if not more – to be alone. So, the phrase ‘he prefers to be alone than in society’ in the context of personality traits means that this person loves his company, but sometimes he is even more comfortable in his own company and silence.
Likewise, statistics show that introverts are not rare – about half of people belong to the spectrum from introverts to extroverts. One study mentions that people with extremely extroverted personalities make up about a third, as much as they are extremely introverted – and the rest are mixed (ambiverts). This means that it is quite normal that so many people love peace and solitude; In society, we often see only extroverted loud people, so it seems to us that there are more, but there are almost the same introverts. Unfortunately, extroversion is more valued in our culture, so introverts sometimes feel guilty about their tendency to loneliness. But according to psychologist Vanja Orlović, Introversion is only a personality trait, not a defect. Introverts simply react differently to external stimuli and know that time for themselves is enough for them.
Neuroscientific reasons
Also, psychology and neuroscience offer additional explanations of why some prefer to choose loneliness. Brain research shows the differences between introverts and extroverts in the way they experience rewards and stimulation. In one study from Cornell University, it was found that in extroverts, the brain reacts more strongly to rewards: they emit more neurotransmitters of dopamine during stimulation, which motivates them to seek social and sensory stimuli. In other words, extroverts often need more excitement to feel fulfilled. On the other hand, a much smaller stimulus is enough for introverts for the same level of pleasure – even a quieter conversation or sitting still can trigger positive emotions. As career psychologist Depue explains, ‘In extroverts, the response of dopamine to rewards is stronger, so it experiences strong positive emotions more often’.
Due to this high sensitivity to stimulation, introverts quickly ‘burn out’ in social situations. Term “Introvert hangover” It describes fatigue and overload that arise when an introvert spends too much time in society without a break for himself. Similar to the age at which it comes out or bites, it has an influence on how much beer you can drink, so the psychological capacity of an introvert has its limit. If an introvert has no time for loneliness, he can feel emotionally exhausted. The results suggest that this is exactly what is related to differences in dopamine sensitivity – their system quickly reaches maximum pleasure and therefore loneliness needs to be ‘reset’. In short, neuroscience confirms that people who prefer to spend time alone are more unanimously more grateful to calm stimuli.
Advantages of loneliness
Although many associate loneliness with negative feelings, psychologists also emphasize the numerous advantages that it can bring in itself. The solitary time enables better concentration and productivity because we are not hindered by social obligations. Namely, studies show that while working in solitude, we invest more attention and remember information better, while in a group we often imply that someone else will ‘fill the holes’. Also, creativity is often stronger when we are alone – many artists and innovators need solitude to develop their ideas. Research confirms that loneliness encourages divergent thinking and creative problem solvingr. Examples from practice confirm this: J.D. Salinger, Vincent van Gogh or director Stanley Kubrick are well-known introverts who used time in solitude to create masterpieces.
Solitude also gives an opportunity to think deeply about yourself and life, which increases self-awareness and psychological stability. As an expert from Adiva points out, loneliness is “A powerful tool that allows you to be filled with energy, ideas and knowledge”. In it, we become our own captain – there is no pressure to please others, so we can regulate our emotions in peace and rest. One study even found that people prefer to choose a more painful experience than if they are bored in solitude – it turned out how active the brain is even when we are alone. In short, the quality of time in solitude can serve to restore resources: solitude improves mood and generally reduces stress, provided it is willingly chosen.
When lonely behavior is worrying
However, psychologists warn that the will for solitude can also be a sign of other states – but this can be seen in the context. If a person loves loneliness because enjoys In peace and quiet, it is mostly healthy. On the other hand, someone who constantly isolates against the will It can suffer from anxiety or depression. People with social anxiety often want company in themselves, but fear of criticism makes them avoid it. Unlike introverts, they leave the gathering not because they are ‘filled’ with themselves, but because they cannot withstand discomfort – explains Vanja Orlović. Introverts do not have such irrational beliefs; They simply consciously choose fewer encounters in order to preserve energy. So, “Introversion is a personality trait, and social anxiety is a mental disorder”. Likewise, a drop in interest in any socializing can sometimes indicate depression – but a depressed person does not enjoy being alone, but withdraws because he has no energy or joy. In any case, it is crucial to observe the whole situation: if someone likes to be alone because he wants it, it is usually a healthy choice. If no one asks him if he is okay, then he should consider whether he needs professional help.
Conclusion
So, according to psychology, the fact that someone prefers to be alone than in society mostly means that he has an introverted personality or that he simply appreciates peace and time for himself. This is nothing unusual or bad – many people around the world value privacy and society equally. Loneliness brings numerous benefits (better focus, creativity, emotion regulation) as long as it is voluntary. Of course, if this need for solitude is seriously violated with the fulfillment of life, attention should be paid to possible psychological difficulties. But for most people who say they more Satisfied than surrounded by others, it is above all a natural personality trait – introversion – and the way they maintain their mental health and happiness.
Sources: Articles and expert portals such as geek.hr, adiva.hr and psychologist.ba; psychological texts by Jelena Pantić and Vanje Orlović; Research published in Cornell Chronicle; newspaper texts B92 and Body.ba; as well as media sources such as today.rs, some of which are based on scientific studies.
FAQs
From these answers, we see that according to psychology, a situation in which someone ‘prefers to be alone rather than in society’ most often indicates an introverted lifestyle and a healthy break from external stimuli. With understanding and support, such people can benefit from solitude for their mental well-being.
