Susan Cain’s Quiet Response

Jade Rockwood

August, 1st,2016

Introduction to College

Ms. Lisa Webb

                                Susan Cain’s Quiet Response Questions  

1. According to the test in the novel Quiet on page 13 I tested as an introvert, responding to most of the questions as true rather than false. I agree with the test in many ways having grown up next to someone who is an extrovert. One test question that I strongly stand by is the “I feel drained after being out and about, even if I enjoyed myself” (13), Cain understands that introverts need a lot more down time to themselves than most extroverts do.
2. Cain uses Rosa Parks in her novel to persuade readers that a soft spoken heart is what changed the civil rights movement, because of Parks introverted personality the people could tell that what she was doing was the right thing, because she was not one to stand in front of a crowded room for the attention. “Nobody can doubt the boundless outreach of her integrity. Nobody can doubt height of her character” (60).
3. In the novel Susan Cain says “Why do we accept this one size fits all situation as given when we know perfectly well that adults don’t organize themselves this way? (254)” this quote accurately represents the public school system and how students are expected to act as much alike as possible, however; adults contradict this by telling students to find their own path and where they best fit in. This one size fits all reminds me of how its unacceptle to label clothing one size fits all, because everyone is different shapes and sizes. But it’s okay to label education and society “one type works for all”. This isn’t true and I love how this quote brings that to light.
4. Being an introvert has advantages such as a lot of people think you are a good listener and easy to talk to. I made a lot of close friends throughout high school just by listening and not talking. I defiantly took on the role of the support system for my close friends. It’s become an advantage because I graduated with close friends with strong ties rather than a lot friends that I will forget about or will forget about me.
5. Wozniaks advice is more compelling because when people don’t have the fear of getting rejected by coworkers they tend to brainstorm a lot more ideas alone. In this case they build creative out of the box ideas without the judgement of others from around them. Cain quotes Wozniaks memoir that states, “Inventors and engineer are shy …the very best of them are artists. And artists work best alone” (73).  Whereas Bennis’ advice on teamwork is based on that everybody isn’t afraid to speak their mind. Cain builds a persona that extroverts dominate in large conversation. Wozniak believe that most inventors are introverted, this builds the case that Bennis’ idea on teamwork is improper.
6. To some extent we are born how we are today, however, peoples temperaments can be altered or changed by experiences in their environments. Susan Cain cites David Dobbs analogy that extroverts are dandelions and introverts are like orchids. “Orchid children are more strongly affected by all experience, both positive and negative” (111). Dobbs’ research provides evidence that humans temperaments are more strongly affected by their environments.  
7.  The high school that Susan Cain depicts is very different from the high school which I came from. Besides the vast difference that there is not very many Asian-Americans in Spokane, but the activities of the students in Cupertino are the exact opposite from Spokane. Cain states “they study all summer at their parents’ request, even declining invitations to July birthday parties” (184). Priorities at my high school were to always socialize, to attend every sporting event, and be involved in school as much as possible. If these weren’t you were left behind in the crowd, unlike in Cupertino where studying and being on your on was looked up to.
8.  On type of advertisement that is constantly on the rise, is the advertisement of alcohol. These messages constantly bombard you with the idea that it’s normal to always be a a giant social setting, and the make it appear that that is where all the fun happens and that is what is going to make you happy.
9. Come the first team-based projects when I recruit team members I will try to make an equal balance of some extroverts and some introverts. Throughout Cain’s book I have noticed that behind every great leader there has been an introvert. Or that the best partnerships come from the ying and yang of extroverts and introverts. I will also use Osborn’s rules that Cain cited for brainstorming “don’t judge or criticize ideas, be freewheeling, the wilder the idea the better, go for quantity, build ideas on each other” (87). I feel that these guide lines will make teamwork more efficient.
10. A revolution is the action of turning or revolving something. I agree with Cain that there needs to be a change in how students learn and in society today. Students should be able to learn in whatever environment without feeling like they are the odd man out, that there is something wrong with their ability to learn. As well as, how society forces you into an extroverted environment the minute you step outside of your house. There needs to be a balance in today’s society.