Loner

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A loner is a label for a person who shuns human interaction for a variety of reasons. These reasons can range from a lack of certain social skills (such as people with Asperger's Syndrome), misanthropy, excessive rejection from others, to a simple desire to be with oneself. A common psychological term used to describe the personality of loners is introversion. Some individuals refuse to interact with others because of perceived superiority. They wish to only relate to individuals they consider worthy of their time and attention. Therefore, a loner will have very few intimate relationships. Many feel anxious in their presence because they perceive the loner's disdain towards them. It is also common for people to believe them to be arrogant and egotistical.

Related to the above is the socializing aspect of a loner: focusing on certain traits, some loners socialize greater with people in whom they can confide. Unfortunately it takes time for this bond to occur and when someone unknown to a loner enters the social group, the loner will automatically shell up. Seeming shy or insecure, most loners can only socialize with people they see constantly. This is in part due to the fact that many loners are overly self-conscious and believe people are constantly sizing up their attributes.

While expressing a desire to be alone most of the time, loners do not necessarily shun human interaction completely. An example would be the person who shuns any social interaction with work colleagues beyond what is necessary for fulfilling his or her job description (mainly for practical reasons and to avoid further complicating one’s professional relationships) but who is actually fun and extroverted during parties or social gatherings with people outside work.

The term loner is usually used with a negative connotation in the belief that humans are social creatures and those that do not participate are different, though in some cases there is a certain romanticism in the idea of the Loner, or "Lone Wolf" (see The Lone Ranger) since he or she is seen as special and unique. The loner may take great pride in his or her behavior.

• Allison Reynolds, The Breakfast Club
• Ashley Morgan
• Paul, Breakfast at Tiffany's
• Boo Radley, To Kill a Mockingbird
• Bruce Wayne, Batman
• Cloud Strife, Final Fantasy VII
• Daria Morgendorffer, Daria
• Emma Maynard
• Harry Haller, Steppenwolf
• Holden Caulfield, The Catcher in the Rye
• Jay Gatsby, The Great Gatsby
• Jim Stark, Rebel Without a Cause
• Michael Knight, Knight Rider
• Leon, "The Professional"
• Lydia Deetz, Beetlejuice
• The Man With No Name, Dollars Trilogy
• Peter Evans, Bug
• Priss Asagiri, Bubblegum Crisis
• Ryu, Street fighter series
• Sam Spade, The Maltese Falcon
• Scorchio, BBC 606 member
• Shadow the Hedgehog
• Sherlock Holmes
• Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid
• Squall Leonhart, Final Fantasy VIII
• Sy Parrish, One Hour Photo
• Travis Bickle, Taxi Driver
• The Underground Man, Notes from Underground
• Wolverine, X-Men
• John Constantine, Hellblazer
• James Bond, James Bond series

• Asperger's Syndrome
• Autism
• Avoidant personality disorder
• Schizoid personality disorder
• Social phobia
• Solitude
• Hermit
• Loneliness
• MySpace
• Orphan
• Bucolic
• Autophobia
• Outsider
• Hikikomori
• Misanthrope
• Byronic hero