Could you turn into an introvert during the pandemic?

How much have you changed in the two years since the pandemic upended our 'normal' lives?

Lockdown restrictions have since been eased in the Philippines, but the damage has already been done.

According to behavior analyst EJ Mangilit, one consequence of the pandemic and the lengthy restrictions that had been strictly imposed all over the world is that "we could end up seeing individuals who are more introverted."

Healthline characterizes introverts as people who "do better in quiet environments, enjoy spending time alone, and show more reservation than enthusiasm in social settings."

In contrast, extroverts "seek out social interaction and conversations, thrive in busy environments, and have a more outgoing nature."

However, Mangilit said that on a behavioral standpoint, introversion could be considered as learned behavior.

"Introversion is usually a result of punished behavior. It's more so you didn't get that access to reinforcement," he told GMA News Online. "[The term] punisher is not a bad thing, it just refers to something that weakens your behavior. Meanwhile, a reinforcer is something that would increase the frequency of your behavior."

That said, it's entirely possible that extroverts could become more introverted, in terms of behavior — not necessarily a categorical shift — especially amid the tight regulations during the ongoing pandemic.

"At least in the short-term," Mangilit said.

He explained that in the case of social interactions, reinforcers could come in the form of hugs and high-fives. There is a different value in social interactions when you can see the person right in front of you, see their facial features, and see them laugh.

However, that has changed drastically in the past two years.

Aside from the fact that the freedom to go out was restricted, important social events like birthday celebrations, Christmas parties, and weddings are now held via Zoom.

"'Yung person who used to be the life of the party, na laging, 'Hi, kumusta?' There's no longer any need for them to do that," he said. "It's not the same."

"Ngayong pandemic, 'di ka na masyado nakakalabas, so you no longer have the accessibility to the same consequences. Your behavior itself is suppressed, you're not able to initiate conversations as much, whereas before you're able to do so whenever you want, wherever you want," he added.

"Maybe after two year of continuously not getting access to that social interaction which is your reinforcer, what could potentially happen is you no longer want to initiate those greetings or those conversations as much."

But is this permanent?

On top of the fact that behaviors and personalities could change over time, Mangilit said that it depends on the environment.

"What happens is, after that suppression, maybe the environment opens up again to that same consequences and contingencies," he said. "You may be able to get that 'personality' if you engage in those behaviors again."

"It's the consequences within the environment that makes it so that we engage in these behaviors," he added. —JAB, GMA News