--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Extroverts are better than introverts at…" description: "\"“Extroverts are better than introverts at handling information overload. Introverts' reflectiveness uses up a lot of cognitive capacity, according to J..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a52/susan-cain-647_information-overload_extroverts-are-better-than-introverts-at_1378276.jpg" --- # Extroverts are better than introverts at handling… ![“Extroverts are better than introverts at handling information overload. Introverts' reflectiveness uses up a lot of cognitive capacity, according to Joseph Newman. On any given task, he says, ''if we have 100 percent cognitive capacity, an introvert may have only 75 percent on task and 25 percent…” quote by Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a52/susan-cain-647_information-overload_extroverts-are-better-than-introverts-at_1378276.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a52/susan-cain-647_information-overload_extroverts-are-better-than-introverts-at_1378276.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a52/susan-cain-647_information-overload_extroverts-are-better-than-introverts-at_1378276.jpg) > ““Extroverts are better than introverts at handling information overload. Introverts' reflectiveness uses up a lot of cognitive capacity, according to Joseph Newman. On any given task, he says, ''if we have 100 percent cognitive capacity, an introvert may have only 75 percent on task and 25 percent off task, whereas an extrovert may have 90 percent on task.'' This is because most tasks are goal-directed. Extroverts appear to allocate most of their cognitive capacity to the goal at hand, while introverts use up capacity by monitoring how the task is going.”” [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Extroverts tend to focus cognitive resources on tasks, while introverts allocate some capacity to monitoring, reducing task efficiency. **In simple terms:** Extroverts focus more on tasks; introverts split attention. Key Takeaway Recognize your own cognitive allocation style. Themes cognition personality productivity Mood thoughtful analytical Type observational insightful When to use this quote - workplace - study - creative projects - team meetings Key Concepts introversion extroversion attention allocation Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance focus and monitoring? - When does splitting attention help? A Different Perspective Introverts may excel in tasks requiring reflection and long‑term planning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Information overload](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/information-overload/) [Introvert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/introvert/) ## Related quotes > [We have this idea that extroverts are better salespeople. As a result, extroverts are more likely to enter sales; extroverts are more likely to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/we-have-this-idea-that-extroverts-are-better-salespeople-as-a-result/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“The amount of stored information grows four times faster than the world economy, while the processing power of computers grows nine times faster. Little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-mayer-sch-nberger/the-amount-of-stored-information-grows-four-times-faster-than-the/) [Viktor Mayer-Schönberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-mayer-sch-nberger/) > [“By some estimates, the data-storage curve is rocketing upward at the rate of 800 percent per year. Organizations are collecting so much data they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-davidson/by-some-estimates-the-data-storage-curve-is-rocketing-upward-at-the/) [Jeff Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-davidson/) > [A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-wealth-of-information-creates-a-poverty-of-attention/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I do feel like there's information overload and it's becoming harder to stand out because there's so much coming out in the indie space.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonita-gandhi/i-do-feel-like-there-s-information-overload-and-it-s-becoming-harder/) [Jonita Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonita-gandhi/) > [“But if we define the Megaphone as the composite of the hundreds of voices we hear each day that come to us from people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/but-if-we-define-the-megaphone-as-the-composite-of-the-hundreds-of/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [The fewer data needed, the better the information. And an overload of information, that is, anything much beyond what is truly needed, leads to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/the-fewer-data-needed-the-better-the-information-and-an-overload-of/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [“In the Information Age, the first step to sanity is FILTERING. Filter the information: extract for knowledge. Filter first for substance. Filter second for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-stiegler/in-the-information-age-the-first-step-to-sanity-is-filtering-filter/) Marc Stiegler > [“One third of managers are victims of "Information Fatigue Syndrome." 49 percent said they are unable to handle the vast amounts of information received.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-davidson/one-third-of-managers-are-victims-of-information-fatigue-syndrome-49/) [Jeff Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-davidson/) > [“Time passes slowly when you're not filling every second up with useless information. It forces you to sit with your emotions... to be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-remender/time-passes-slowly-when-you-re-not-filling-every-second-up-with/) [Rick Remender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-remender/) > [“Computers thwart, contort, and befuddle us. We mess around with fonts, change screen backgrounds, slow down or increase mouse speed. We tweak and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-davidson/computers-thwart-contort-and-befuddle-us-we-mess-around-with-fonts/) [Jeff Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-davidson/) > [In an age of information overload ... the last thing any of us needs is more information about God. We need the practice of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-held-evans/in-an-age-of-information-overload-the-last-thing-any-of-us-needs-is/) [Rachel Held Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-held-evans/) > [I see within us all (myself included) the replacement of complex inner density with a new kind of self—evolving under the pressure of information…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-foreman/i-see-within-us-all-myself-included-the-replacement-of-complex-inner/) [Richard Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-foreman/) > [Everyone spoke of an information overload, but what there was in fact was a non-information overload.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-saul-wurman/everyone-spoke-of-an-information-overload-but-what-there-was-in-fact/) [Richard Saul Wurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-saul-wurman/) > [There is no such thing as information overload, just bad design. If something is cluttered and/or confusing, fix your design.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/there-is-no-such-thing-as-information-overload-just-bad-design-if/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) ## More by Susan Cain > [“Proverbs from the East: The wind howls, but the mountain remains still. Even though I make no special attempt to observe the discipline of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/proverbs-from-the-east-the-wind-howls-but-the-mountain-remains-still/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [“where we fall on the introvert-extrovert spectrum. Our place on this continuum influences our choice of friends and mates, and how we make conversation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/where-we-fall-on-the-introvert-extrovert-spectrum-our-place-on-this/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [“I worry that there are people who are put in positions of authority because they’re good talkers, but they don’t have good ideas,” he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/i-worry-that-there-are-people-who-are-put-in-positions-of-authority/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [“He believes, as most of us do, that venting anger lets off steam. The “catharsis hypothesis”—that aggression builds up inside us until it’s healthily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/he-believes-as-most-of-us-do-that-venting-anger-lets-off-steam-the/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [“Soft power is not limited to moral exemplars like Mahatma Gandhi. Consider, for example, the much-ballyhooed excellence of Asians in fields like math and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/soft-power-is-not-limited-to-moral-exemplars-like-mahatma-gandhi/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [“Events like this don't give me the sense of oneness others seem to enjoy; it's always been private occasions that make me feel connected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/events-like-this-don-t-give-me-the-sense-of-oneness-others-seem-to/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [“Social anxiety disorder”—which essentially means pathological shyness—is now thought to afflict nearly one in five of us. The most recent version of the Diagnostic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/social-anxiety-disorder-which-essentially-means-pathological-shyness/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [“Potential clients would walk out of Charlie’s office scared”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/potential-clients-would-walk-out-of-charlie-s-office-scared/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [“So when introverts assume the observer role, as when they write novels, or contemplate unified field theory- or fall quiet at dinner parties- they’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/so-when-introverts-assume-the-observer-role-as-when-they-write-novels/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [“Osborn’s theory had great impact, and company leaders took up brainstorming with enthusiasm. To this day, it’s common for anyone who spends time in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/osborn-s-theory-had-great-impact-and-company-leaders-took-up/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [Extroversion is an enormously appealing personality style, but we've turned it into an oppressive standard to which most of us feel we must conform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/extroversion-is-an-enormously-appealing-personality-style-but-we-ve/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [“But as the word satyagraha implies, Gandhi’s passivity was not weakness at all. It meant focusing on an ultimate goal and refusing to divert…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/but-as-the-word-satyagraha-implies-gandhi-s-passivity-was-not/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [“The Extrovert Ideal has been documented in many studies, though this research has never been grouped under a single name. Talkative people, for example,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/the-extrovert-ideal-has-been-documented-in-many-studies-though-this/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [“introverts prefer to work independently, and solitude can be a catalyst to innovation. As the influential psychologist Hans Eysenck once observed, introversion “concentrates the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/introverts-prefer-to-work-independently-and-solitude-can-be-a/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [ “People who tend to \[suppress their negative emotions\] regularly,” concludes Grob, “might start to see the world in a more negative light.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/people-who-tend-to-suppress-their-negative-emotions-regularly/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) [Explore all 428 Susan Cain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) ## More Information overload quotes > [“The amount of stored information grows four times faster than the world economy, while the processing power of computers grows nine times faster. Little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-mayer-sch-nberger/the-amount-of-stored-information-grows-four-times-faster-than-the/) [Viktor Mayer-Schönberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-mayer-sch-nberger/) > [Everyone spoke of an information overload, but what there was in fact was a non-information overload.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-saul-wurman/everyone-spoke-of-an-information-overload-but-what-there-was-in-fact/) [Richard Saul Wurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-saul-wurman/) > [I see within us all (myself included) the replacement of complex inner density with a new kind of self—evolving under the pressure of information…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-foreman/i-see-within-us-all-myself-included-the-replacement-of-complex-inner/) [Richard Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-foreman/) > [In an age of information overload ... the last thing any of us needs is more information about God. We need the practice of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-held-evans/in-an-age-of-information-overload-the-last-thing-any-of-us-needs-is/) [Rachel Held Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-held-evans/) > [“Computers thwart, contort, and befuddle us. We mess around with fonts, change screen backgrounds, slow down or increase mouse speed. We tweak and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-davidson/computers-thwart-contort-and-befuddle-us-we-mess-around-with-fonts/) [Jeff Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-davidson/) > [“Time passes slowly when you're not filling every second up with useless information. It forces you to sit with your emotions... to be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-remender/time-passes-slowly-when-you-re-not-filling-every-second-up-with/) [Rick Remender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-remender/) > [“One third of managers are victims of "Information Fatigue Syndrome." 49 percent said they are unable to handle the vast amounts of information received.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-davidson/one-third-of-managers-are-victims-of-information-fatigue-syndrome-49/) [Jeff Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-davidson/) > [“In the Information Age, the first step to sanity is FILTERING. Filter the information: extract for knowledge. Filter first for substance. Filter second for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-stiegler/in-the-information-age-the-first-step-to-sanity-is-filtering-filter/) Marc Stiegler > [The fewer data needed, the better the information. And an overload of information, that is, anything much beyond what is truly needed, leads to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/the-fewer-data-needed-the-better-the-information-and-an-overload-of/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [“But if we define the Megaphone as the composite of the hundreds of voices we hear each day that come to us from people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/but-if-we-define-the-megaphone-as-the-composite-of-the-hundreds-of/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [I do feel like there's information overload and it's becoming harder to stand out because there's so much coming out in the indie space.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonita-gandhi/i-do-feel-like-there-s-information-overload-and-it-s-becoming-harder/) [Jonita Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonita-gandhi/) > [A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-wealth-of-information-creates-a-poverty-of-attention/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“By some estimates, the data-storage curve is rocketing upward at the rate of 800 percent per year. Organizations are collecting so much data they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-davidson/by-some-estimates-the-data-storage-curve-is-rocketing-upward-at-the/) [Jeff Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-davidson/) > [There is no such thing as information overload, just bad design. If something is cluttered and/or confusing, fix your design.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/there-is-no-such-thing-as-information-overload-just-bad-design-if/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [“Traditional ways to deal with information--reading, listening, writing, talking--are painfully slow in comparison to "viewing the big picture." Those who survive information overload will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-alesandrini/traditional-ways-to-deal-with-information-reading-listening-writing/) [Kathryn Alesandrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-alesandrini/) [Browse all 76 Information overload quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/information-overload/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Extroverts are better than introverts at handling information overload. Introverts' reflectiveness uses up a lot of cognitive capacity, according to Joseph Newman. On any given task, he says, ''if we have 100 percent cognitive capacity, an introvert may have only 75 percent on task and 25 percent off task, whereas an extrovert may have 90 percent on task.'' This is because most tasks are goal-directed. 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