The Psychology of Engineers

From a tech talk at Shutterstock about Introversion/Extroversion and Flow. Hear the the talk at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c23CKN0fbcQ

Transcript

2. The Psychology of Engineers
3. The Psychology of Engineers Introversion/Extroversion and Flow
5. Kris Arnold @wka
6. Kris Arnold @wka Shutterstock @shuttertech
7. Disclaimer
8. Disclaimer
10. Introversion & Extroversion
11. Introversion & Extroversion Flow
12. Introversion & Extroversion
13. Introversion & Extroversion
14. What Introversion & Extroversion
15. What Why Introversion & Extroversion
16. What Why How Introversion & Extroversion
17. What Why How Introversion & Extroversion
19. Introverts Extroverts Energized by being alone Energized by socializing Meaning of events Plunge into events Work slowly and deliberately Work quickly Focus on one task at a time Comfortable “multi-tasking” Comfortable with solitude Prefer groups Prefer people in friendly context Prefer people they compete with
20. Introverts Extroverts Energized by being alone Energized by socializing Meaning of events Plunge into events Work slowly and deliberately Work quickly Focus on one task at a time Comfortable “multi-tasking” Comfortable with solitude Prefer groups Prefer people in friendly context Prefer people they compete with
21. Introverts Extroverts Energized by being alone Energized by socializing Meaning of events Plunge into events Work slowly and deliberately Work quickly Focus on one task at a time Comfortable “multi-tasking” Comfortable with solitude Prefer groups Prefer people in friendly context Prefer people they compete with
22. Introverts Extroverts Energized by being alone Energized by socializing Meaning of events Plunge into events Work slowly and deliberately Work quickly Focus on one task at a time Comfortable “multi-tasking” Comfortable with solitude Prefer groups Prefer people in friendly context Prefer people they compete with
23. Introverts Extroverts Energized by being alone Energized by socializing Meaning of events Plunge into events Work slowly and deliberately Work quickly Focus on one task at a time Comfortable “multi-tasking” Comfortable with solitude Prefer groups Prefer people in friendly context Prefer people they compete with
24. Introverts Extroverts Energized by being alone Energized by socializing Meaning of events Plunge into events Work slowly and deliberately Work quickly Focus on one task at a time Comfortable “multi-tasking” Comfortable with solitude Prefer groups Prefer people in friendly context Prefer people they compete with
25. Introverts Extroverts Energized by being alone Energized by socializing Meaning of events Plunge into events Work slowly and deliberately Work quickly Focus on one task at a time Comfortable “multi-tasking” Comfortable with solitude Prefer groups Prefer people in friendly context Prefer people they compete with
26. Introverts
27. Introverts • Listen more than they talk
28. Introverts • Listen more than they talk • Think before they speak
29. Introverts • Listen more than they talk • Think before they speak • Might express themselves better in writing
30. Introverts • Listen more than they talk • Think before they speak • Might express themselves better in writing • Dislike phone calls
31. Introverts • Listen more than they talk • Think before they speak • Might express themselves better in writing • Dislike phone calls • Better at delaying gratification
32. Extroverts
33. Extroverts • Enjoy the “thrill of the chase/hunt”
34. Extroverts • Enjoy the “thrill of the chase/hunt” • Driven by rewards
35. Extroverts • Enjoy the “thrill of the chase/hunt” • Driven by rewards • Need more outside stimulation
36. Extroverts • Enjoy the “thrill of the chase/hunt” • Driven by rewards • Need more outside stimulation • More prone to overconfidence
38. Introverts Extroverts Kind manner Aggressive language Avoid conflict Less conflict avoidance Few topics More topics Serious topics Lighter topics Talking with extroverts: find conversing easy Talking with introverts: less pressure to appear upbeat
39. Introverts Extroverts Kind manner Aggressive language Avoid conflict Less conflict avoidance Few topics More topics Serious topics Lighter topics Talking with extroverts: find conversing easy Talking with introverts: less pressure to appear upbeat
40. Introverts Extroverts Kind manner Aggressive language Avoid conflict Less conflict avoidance Few topics More topics Serious topics Lighter topics Talking with extroverts: find conversing easy Talking with introverts: less pressure to appear upbeat
41. Introverts Extroverts Kind manner Aggressive language Avoid conflict Less conflict avoidance Few topics More topics Serious topics Lighter topics Talking with extroverts: find conversing easy Talking with introverts: less pressure to appear upbeat
42. Introverts Extroverts Kind manner Aggressive language Avoid conflict Less conflict avoidance Few topics More topics Serious topics Lighter topics Talking with extroverts: find conversing easy Talking with introverts: less pressure to appear upbeat
43. Introverts Extroverts Kind manner Aggressive language Avoid conflict Less conflict avoidance Few topics More topics Serious topics Lighter topics Talking with extroverts: find conversing easy Talking with introverts: less pressure to appear upbeat
44. Communication
45. Communication • Introverts do talk a lot… when they are talking about something they are passionate about
46. Communication • Introverts do talk a lot… when they are talking about something they are passionate about • Extroverts better at extemporaneous speaking
47. Communication • Introverts do talk a lot… when they are talking about something they are passionate about • Extroverts better at extemporaneous speaking • Introverts tend to conduct small talk at the end, not beginning, of conversations
48. Introvert/Extrovert
49. Introvert/Extrovert • Spectrum
50. Introvert/Extrovert • Spectrum • Ambivert
51. Introvert/Extrovert • Spectrum • Ambivert • Equal intelligence, on average
52. Shyness
53. Shyness • Shyness != introversion
54. Shyness • Shyness != introversion • Shyness due to perceived judgement of others
55. Shyness • Shyness != introversion • Shyness due to perceived judgement of others • Introversion due to overstimulation
56. Shyness • Shyness != introversion • Shyness due to perceived judgement of others • Introversion due to overstimulation • Overlap
57. What Why How Introversion & Extroversion
58. What Why How Introversion & Extroversion
59. Reactivity
60. Reactivity • Expose babies & children to novel stimuli, measure reaction
61. Reactivity • Expose babies & children to novel stimuli, measure reaction • High reactives
62. Reactivity • Expose babies & children to novel stimuli, measure reaction • High reactives • Low reactives
63. Reactivity • Expose babies & children to novel stimuli, measure reaction • High reactives • Low reactives • In between
64. Reactivity • Expose babies & children to novel stimuli, measure reaction • High reactives (20%) • Low reactives (40%) • In between (40%)
65. High-Reactives
66. High-Reactives • “Alert Attention”
67. High-Reactives • “Alert Attention” • Highly empathic
68. High-Reactives • “Alert Attention” • Highly empathic • Tend to speak softly
69. High-Reactives • “Alert Attention” • Highly empathic • Tend to speak softly • 70% are introverts
70. Wetware Amygdala
71. Lemon Juice Experiment
72. Lemon Juice Experiment • Put a drop of lemon juice on a person's tongue
73. Lemon Juice Experiment • Put a drop of lemon juice on a person's tongue • Measure how much saliva they produce
74. Lemon Juice Experiment • Put a drop of lemon juice on a person's tongue • Measure how much saliva they produce • Introverts tend to produce more than extroverts
75. Wetware Reticular Activating System
76. Wetware Dopamine
77. What Why How Introversion & Extroversion
78. What Why How Introversion & Extroversion
79. Solitude
80. Solitude • Value deliberate solo practice/work, it develops talent
81. Solitude • Value deliberate solo practice/work, it develops talent • Top-performing programmers have the most privacy, personal space, and freedom from interruption at work
82. Solitude • Value deliberate solo practice/work, it develops talent • Top-performing programmers have the most privacy, personal space, and freedom from interruption at work • Open-plan offices reduce productivity
83. Extrovert Ideal
84. Extrovert Ideal • Talkative people rated as smarter, better looking, more interesting
85. Extrovert Ideal • Talkative people rated as smarter, better looking, more interesting • Business schools encourage extroversion
86. Extrovert Ideal • Talkative people rated as smarter, better looking, more interesting • Business schools encourage extroversion • “speak with conviction” even when uncertain
87. Extrovert Ideal • Talkative people rated as smarter, better looking, more interesting • Business schools encourage extroversion • “speak with conviction” even when uncertain • “Don’t think about the perfect answer. It's better to get out there and say something than to never get your voice in.”
88. Extrovert Ideal • Talkative people rated as smarter, better looking, more interesting • Business schools encourage extroversion • “speak with conviction” even when uncertain • “Don’t think about the perfect answer. It's better to get out there and say something than to never get your voice in.” • “It’s so easy to confuse schmoozing ability with talent.”
89. Leadership
90. Leadership • Extroverted leaders enhance performance of passive employees
91. Leadership • Extroverted leaders enhance performance of passive employees • Introverted leaders enhance performance of proactive employees
92. Faking It
93. Faking It • Introverts can act like extroverts when they are doing something they value
94. Faking It • Introverts can act like extroverts when they are doing something they value • Self-monitoring
95. Faking It • Introverts can act like extroverts when they are doing something they value • Self-monitoring • Smile
96. Faking It • Introverts can act like extroverts when they are doing something they value • Self-monitoring • Smile • Sit/stand up straight
97. Faking It • Introverts can act like extroverts when they are doing something they value • Self-monitoring • Smile • Sit/stand up straight • Make eye contact
98. Introvert Advantages
99. Introvert Advantages • Focus • Persistence • Concentration • Deep thinking
100. What Why How Introversion & Extroversion
101. Introversion & Extroversion
103. Flow
104. Flow
105. Definition Flow
106. Definition Benefits Flow
107. Definition Benefits How To Flow
108. Definition Benefits How To Flow
110. Mihály Csíkszentmihályi
112. State of Flow
113. State of Flow • Totally engaged with an activity
114. State of Flow • Totally engaged with an activity • “In the zone”
115. State of Flow • Totally engaged with an activity • “In the zone” • Immersed
116. State of Flow • Totally engaged with an activity • “In the zone” • Immersed • Not paying attention to:
117. State of Flow • Totally engaged with an activity • “In the zone” • Immersed • Not paying attention to: • surroundings
118. State of Flow • Totally engaged with an activity • “In the zone” • Immersed • Not paying attention to: • surroundings • feelings
119. Flow in…
120. Flow in… • coding
121. Flow in… • coding • searching online
122. Flow in… • coding • searching online • sports
123. Flow in… • coding • searching online • sports • gaming
124. Flow Definition Benefits How To
125. Flow Definition Benefits How To
126. Benefits
127. Benefits • Enjoyable • Satisfying • Rewarding
128. Benefits
129. Benefits • Create high value
130. Benefits • Create high value • Positive feedback loop
131. Definition Benefits How To Flow
132. Definition Benefits How To Flow
133. Environment for Flow
134. Environment for Flow • Long stretch of time
135. Environment for Flow • Long stretch of time • Distraction-free
136. Environment for Flow • Long stretch of time • Distraction-free • Interruption-free
137. Environment for Flow • Long stretch of time • Distraction-free • Interruption-free • Solo
140. Skill
141. Skill Challenge
142. Skill Challenge Apathy
143. Skill Challenge Apathy Worry
144. Skill Challenge Apathy Worry Anxiety
145. Skill Challenge Apathy Boredom Worry Anxiety
146. Skill Challenge Apathy Boredom Relaxation Worry Anxiety
147. Skill Challenge Apathy Boredom Relaxation Worry Anxiety Arousal
148. Skill Challenge Apathy Boredom Relaxation Worry Control Anxiety Arousal
149. Skill Challenge Apathy Boredom Relaxation Worry Control Anxiety Arousal Flow
150. Skill Challenge Apathy Boredom Relaxation Worry Control Anxiety Arousal Flow
152. Motivation
153. Motivation • Pursue an activity for its own sake, not for rewards
154. Motivation • Pursue an activity for its own sake, not for rewards • Autotelic personality
155. Motivation • Pursue an activity for its own sake, not for rewards • Autotelic personality • Curiosity
156. Motivation • Pursue an activity for its own sake, not for rewards • Autotelic personality • Curiosity • Persistence
157. Motivation • Pursue an activity for its own sake, not for rewards • Autotelic personality • Curiosity • Persistence • Intrinsic motivation
158. Definition Benefits How To Flow
162. Multi-tasking
163. Multi-tasking • No one is really multi-tasking
164. Multi-tasking • No one is really multi-tasking • Brain is rapidly switching attention between tasks
165. Multi-tasking • No one is really multi-tasking • Brain is rapidly switching attention between tasks • Slower
166. Multi-tasking • No one is really multi-tasking • Brain is rapidly switching attention between tasks • Slower • Act less intelligent
167. Multi-tasking • No one is really multi-tasking • Brain is rapidly switching attention between tasks • Slower • Act less intelligent • Trains brain for distraction
169. Introversion & Extroversion Flow Multi-tasking
176. www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-introverts-corner/200910/ introversion-vs-shyness-the-discussion-continues www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/articles/ personalityandindividuality/lemons.shtml en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology) www.tempobook.com/2011/10/25/thrust-drag-and-the-10x-effect/ joekraus.com/were-creating-a-culture-of-distraction papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1147689