Back in fourth grade a school psychologist observed me for reasons, and in her report said that I would sit alone at lunch with a book, and if anyone came over to chat I would put the book down and talk to them and generally seemed friendly in normal ways, and then once they left I would pick the book back up. I certainly recall finding the books more interesting than conversation with my classmates.
I’m confused about this anecdote. How else did the psychologist expect you (or any other kid) to behave? What else does one do when a conversation is over, other than “go back to doing what you were doing before / what you would be doing otherwise”…?
I presume the psychologist expected John to actively seek out similar conversations. From the psychologist’s perspective:
most kids would do that, but John didn’t.
most of the kids who wouldn’t do that would decline because of social anxiety/a lack of social skills/a hatred of social interactions etc, which is not the case for John; he seemed perfectly comfortable while partaking in such conversations.
Since John wasn’t in either category, it probably struck the psychologist as odd.
I see, thanks. That makes sense. (At least, the reasoning makes sense, given the psychologist’s beliefs as you describe them; I have no idea if those beliefs are true or not.)
I’m confused about this anecdote. How else did the psychologist expect you (or any other kid) to behave? What else does one do when a conversation is over, other than “go back to doing what you were doing before / what you would be doing otherwise”…?
I presume the psychologist expected John to actively seek out similar conversations. From the psychologist’s perspective:
most kids would do that, but John didn’t.
most of the kids who wouldn’t do that would decline because of social anxiety/a lack of social skills/a hatred of social interactions etc, which is not the case for John; he seemed perfectly comfortable while partaking in such conversations.
Since John wasn’t in either category, it probably struck the psychologist as odd.
I see, thanks. That makes sense. (At least, the reasoning makes sense, given the psychologist’s beliefs as you describe them; I have no idea if those beliefs are true or not.)