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Introversion and Autism: a Conceptual Exploration of the Placement of Introversion on the Autism Spectrum

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Introversion and Autism: a Conceptual Exploration of the Placement of Introversion on the Autism Spectrum INTROVERSION AND AUTISM: A CONCEPTUAL EXPLORATION OF THE PLACEMENT OF INTROVERSION ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM by JENNIFER ODESSA GRIMES B.A. Wellesley College A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in the College of Graduate Studies at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Spring Term 2010 ©2010 Jennifer Odessa Grimes ii ABSTRACT The conceptualization of the personality construct of introversion has been problematic since the term’s inception due to the complexity and seemingly self-contradictory nature of the collection of attributes of which it is comprised. To advance the understanding of introversion, I propose that it is a continuous segment of the non-clinical part of the autism spectrum, and that it is not the same as the inverse of extraversion. When introversion and autism are placed on the same continuum, the nature of the relationship of the traits becomes more apparent, and new possibilities are available for exploration of both autism and introversion. This review of literature traces the origins and development of the concept of introversion and places it on the autism spectrum, demonstrating the apparent synonymous nature of the traits despite varying degrees of severity in expression. The current factorial structure of introversion demonstrates how autistic features interact to produce the personality dimension. Other factors, including genetic predisposition, relationships to the clinical and non-clinical symptoms of schizophrenia spectrum expression, and neurological findings that support the correlation will be considered. Finally, suggestions for future research and possible theoretical and empirical implications and applications are explored. iii In loving memory of Anthony Bibbo. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My deepest gratitude and love for my family for their boundless love and support, especially Don, Cindy, Chris, and A.J. Grimes, Lucy Bibbo, and Lena and Joe Calagione. Thank you to my committee for their help and guidance through the development of the thesis: Shaun Gallagher, Jonathan Cheek, Jamie Schwartz, and Mason Cash. v TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES.......................................................................................................................viii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION................................................................................................... 1 Overview..................................................................................................................................... 4 Introversion............................................................................................................................. 4 Autism..................................................................................................................................... 8 Possible overlap between autism and introversion ................................................................. 9 The argument ........................................................................................................................ 17 Connotations of introversion..................................................................................................... 19 CHAPTER 2: EARLY HISTORY................................................................................................ 22 Introversion from Its First Extrojection .................................................................................... 22 Freud: A psychological model of energy and inward fixation ................................................. 23 Jung: A foundation for modern conceptualization of introversion........................................... 25 A Jungian foundation for conceptual expansion of introversion.............................................. 26 CHAPTER 3: THE EVOLUTION OF INTROVERSION SINCE JUNG................................... 30 Shifting foci: Introversion beyond introspection ...................................................................... 30 The emergence of the “Big Five” ............................................................................................. 32 Personality across cultures........................................................................................................ 33 Other variables: Motivation ...................................................................................................... 34 Laney’s definition of introversion ............................................................................................ 35 CHAPTER 4: A FACTOR APPROACH TO INTROVERSION ................................................ 39 Laney’s introversion as a multifactorial construct.................................................................... 39 Defining components................................................................................................................ 40 The utility of a factor approach................................................................................................. 44 CHAPTER 5: SOCIAL INTROVERSION .................................................................................. 48 Empirical foundation ................................................................................................................ 48 Social ineptitude and a preference for solitude......................................................................... 49 Placing social phenomena: Correlates ...................................................................................... 49 The introversion-positive movement ........................................................................................ 53 Applications of introverted ways of thinking to social and self-understanding ....................... 54 CHAPTER 6: THINKING INTROVERSION ............................................................................. 58 Self-directed thinking................................................................................................................ 58 Introverted subjectivity ............................................................................................................. 61 Negative trends: Reflection/rumination, depression, and neuroticism ..................................... 62 Breadth, depth, and originality of thought................................................................................ 65 The influence of “high sensory-processing sensitivity” ........................................................... 69 Attention ................................................................................................................................... 69 CHAPTER 7: ANXIOUS INTROVERSION............................................................................... 79 Social anhedonia and alexithymia ............................................................................................ 79 Social deficits............................................................................................................................ 80 The placement of anxious introversion in the conceptual framework: An integration of anxious components and ties to other facets .......................................................................................... 84 CHAPTER 8: INHIBITED INTROVERSION ............................................................................ 88 vi Anhedonia, alexithymia, and the inhibited facet of introversion.............................................. 88 Optimal arousal..................................................................................................................... 88 Overstimulation and withdrawal........................................................................................... 91 Vitality: What is inhibited?....................................................................................................... 92 The behavioral inhibition system.............................................................................................. 93 CHAPTER 9: BIOLOGICAL CORRELATES............................................................................ 95 Heritability ................................................................................................................................ 95 Emergence of variation in autistic/introverted patterns............................................................ 96 A neuroscientific model: Current findings ............................................................................... 97 Implications for future research................................................................................................ 99 Callosal hypoconnectivity..................................................................................................... 99 Abnormal activity ............................................................................................................... 100 Neurotransmitters................................................................................................................ 101 CHAPTER 10: CONCLUSION ................................................................................................. 103 Commonalities between introverted and autistic trait heterogeneity: Support for a common trait dynamic ........................................................................................................................... 103 Where schizophrenia fits in the model.................................................................................... 104
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