There is no such thing as a pure introvert or extrovert. Such a person would be in the lunatic asylum. ~ Carl G Jung
It was when he started saying things like “you must be an INTJ” and “thinkers are more objective than feelers” that I became more interested in staring outside the window than listening to this guy – a psychology student. Personality types are fascinating to talk about, but depending on whoโs doing the talking, it can get a bit too stiff for me.
Often I’ve wondered why I’m less than enthusiastic about my personality type, or types. There are as many personality tests based on Introversion and Extroversion as there are types: Jung’s Typology, Big 5, Myers Briggs, Socionics, Enneagram. Sometimes I’m an introvert, others I’m extroverted, sometimes a feeler and others a thinker. For many, personality types provide a lucid way of understanding what were felt to be the abstract traits of ones character.ย Finallyย we can share on our Facebook and twitter pages that we’re “INFJ’s!”, “ISTP’s!!”, “ISFJ’s!!!” ย We seem to believe that our entire emotional and mental functions as a human being perfectly correlate with this well thought out, 4 letter description of who we are. Introspection and self-analysis just became a whole lot easier – just 70 questions away to discover who you really are.
But amidst all the introvert and extrovert extremist polarity hype there exists one forgotten type. ย The Ambivert. ย I had once remotely read of the term Ambivert while perusing through Young’s “Source Book for Social Psychology“. I’ve scoured the internet extensively and found very little on the subject. It seems this ambiguous, complicated, mythical creature is nowhere to be found.
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Continuum Personality Scale
Introversion and extroversion are typically viewed as a single continuum. In other words: to be high in one, it is necessary to be low in the other. Jung and Briggs proposed that everyone has both an extroverted side and an introverted side, one having more predominance than the other. However, Isabel Briggs Myers only strictly allowed the classification of these two types, even though she based her work on Jung’s theory. ย Jung was of the idea that there was a third “middle” group. ย The Ambivert.
“There is, finally, a third group… the most numerous and includes the less differentiated normal man… He constitutes the extensive middle group… I call the first group extraverted and the second group introverted.” (p516, Psychological Types)
This would allow for the possibility that the majority of the population are in fact Ambiverts. ย Ambiverts seem like a grey area in the personality-type world. ย Inconveniently, paying attention to the Ambivert would present a difficult and unnecessary complication – that is, that the entire population couldn’t be squeezed into one of two boxes. Tests can never be accurate because the psyche doesn’t work in percentages. In fact, the introvert and extrovert notion was never intended to be a testable dichotomy. The concept of the Introvert and Extrovert was originally intended to determine whether a function is introverted or extroverted – not a person. However, the MBTI asserts otherwise (take our free personality test based on it here.)
Fifty Shades of Ambivert
Isn’t is more likely that our personalities are varying mixtures of introverted and extroverted functions instead of say, all functions being introverted or extroverted?
I believe that people are simply more dynamically complex than the way we polarize ourselves. The most shameless of party-goers has his insecurities, and the quietest at work can be the wildest at night. Put simply, when we’re in a comfortable environment, we’re more likely to be ourselves.
The majority of us have traits of both personalities which are contextually driven. In other words, the majority of our behavior is a result of our interactions with a situation.
If an “extrovert” has to present an assignment, he may become an introvert for the day by blocking out exterior stimulation and getting lost in a world of thought. Jung defined introversion as an “attitude-type characterised by orientation in life through subjective psychic contents” (or focus on one’s inner psychic activity). ย Extroversion on the other hand was defined as “an attitude type characterised by concentration of interest on the external object” (or the outside world).
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This means that just because you are considered an “introvert” does not mean you’re highly introspective and posses much self-knowledge. Most likely, it’s simply your “Extroverted” brain function that becomes over stimulated easily, causing you to avoid socializing. ย Meanwhile, you’re still getting lost in a world outside of your ‘self’, just like an extrovert does, by reading a fantasy book, or getting lost in a video game (an extrovert thought function). You may have a big imagination, but the function of your brain that finds ‘fun’ in storylines is the same as the extroverts who find ‘fun’ in experiences. Neither is left in solitude with the introverted function of self-analysis and introspection (introvert thought function). Simply put, you can have an extroverted mind while still functioning as an introvert.
However, there are those rare true unwavering personality types who possess almost all dominant extrovert functions and no introverted functions regardless of the situation. Even presenting an assignment would involve yapping away with others. Or for instance, the predominantly introverted functioners who find no sense of fun in celebrating birthdays or anything even with their closest loved ones, and would rather read a book instead.
The Freedom Of Being an Ambivert
From my understanding, Jung would say that we all have โpreferencesโ of what we would like to do, but we also have the capacity to be able to be both introverted and extroverted. And as we get older, we slowly migrate towards the center of the continuum scale in most of our functions, as part of the self-actualization process. The majority of people, although slanted towards one side of the scale, operate using traits and preferences from both sides.
Ambiverts are people who don’t really prefer one way of functioning over another. ย In other words, you could say they’re the neutral, middle-ground hippies. They’re equally comfortable in situations where the introvert feels most at home and situations where the extrovert is having a good time. That being said, I would consider myself an Ambivert. ย I don’t feel drained from social interaction or going out shopping, and discussion energizes and invigorates me. I constantly seek daredevil risk-taking stimulation, while simultaneously relishing quiet time with my books and catching up on scientific essays. I’m both overly confident, but also reclusive and critical in thought.
The freedom with Ambiversion comes in finding both Introverted and Extroverted worlds satisfying and rewarding. ย Ambiversion helps you to enjoy a varied life. Ambiverts have enough introversion to slowly absorb the world around them and enough extroversion to be able to propound ideas and express themselves (through writing of verbally) without feeling depleted.
The notion of Ambiversion changed my life. Previously, when filling in a personality type questionnaire, I”d hesitate when answering questions like: “would you prefer to go to a party or read a book?” ย My first thought was “Depends on the party or book and also how tired I am from the previous night.” But that contextual option wasn’t available. Now I realize what a gift it is to be sensible, reasonable and well balanced enough to have the freedom of choice.
I don’t consider myself either extroverted or introverted. ย Even though I may be 49% extrovert and 51% introvert, I’m equally labeled an INTJ. ย Yet other’s with 99% introvert and 1% extrovert are still labelled INTJ’s.ย Superficially we have the same label, but psychologically we are entirely different.ย This is why I much prefer the Big 5 Personality traits, and their more balanced way of analyzing our personalities.
I’m an Ambivert with 70 shades of Introvert and 30 shades of Extrovert! What are you?
Did you know: You can take our Introvert, Ambivert or Extrovert Test?
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Completely enjoyed this article. And I must say it is a relief to realize I am not the only one who doesn’t fit in either the introvert or extrovert box. The section starting with “The notion of Ambiversion changed my life.” resonates with me. For many years I panicked when I had to fill out questionnaires and struggled with choosing from the provided answers. One day I finally had enough and added a choice I felt comfortable selecting. Since that day, I use this approach for all questionnaires. So using the example from your article โwould you prefer to go to a party or read a book?โ, my answer would be depends. You could of been reading my mind when you described your first thought.
Thank You so much for educating me. I now have the correct answer for What personalilty type are you. answer: ambivert.
Hey Julie!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Im happy to welcome another proud Ambivert to the family.
In truth, I feel there is a large amount of ambiverts out there but all to often we feel that because we dont fit into the social stereotype description of extroverts (which makes them all sound like a bunch of used car salesmen charlatans) we react and think to ourselves in the opposite way “well…I dont like socializing that much so I must be an introvert) but in fact its not the case.
A healthy middle is they key to a balanced life, just like with diets where its advisable to have a little bit of everything in our diet, so to with our social personalities it applies.
Glad you enjoyed to article and it helped you understand yourself more to find self-acceptance easier! :D
Sol
Hi Julie! Hey, how about going to a party attended by people who read books and discuss them? Perfect gathering for us ;) but pretty hard to find… People who go to book discussion group type gatherings usually don’t read the kind of books I would find interesting…so usually it’s a choice between gatherings of snooty pseudo-intellectuals who read boring stuff, and vapid loudmouths who haven’t read a book since 5th grade…sigh…
Your quiz on personality types was fascinating, When reading the article on the ambivert personality, I came across acronyms that I didn’t understand nor were explained. It was in the context of this sentence- Finally we can share on our Facebook and twitter pages that weโre โINFJโs!โ, โISTPโs!!โ, โISFJโs!!!โ Thanks, Alice Heitland
Hey Alice,
Thank you for your comment :). Im joyful you find the quiz and articles fascinating and am blessed to have been able to be part of your discovery of what end of the personality spectrum you lean towards.
When I speak of INTJ, or INFP, Im mentioning a few of the different personality types that exist in the MBTI or (Myers Briggs Personality Type Indicator). MBTI is a personality test that was developer with 16 different varieties of personality groups classfied by four main traits in our personality. We all fall under one of those groups like I am a INTP (Introvert Intuitive Thinker Perceiver). For more information visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator and if you would like to take a free mbti personality test, try http://mypersonality.info .
Sol
I am glad I found this because ambiversion is what best fits me. I have a pet grooming business and have to work with people everyday. I also love to write poetry and go to live poetry readings where I have to get up in front of a crowd and read my poems. I can also find a lot of peace of mind and clear my thoughts when I spend time alone, whether at a park running or home reading a book. It is never boring to spend time by myself. Being able to shift gears and deal with inner or outer reality is something I am comfortable doing. I can go some place and not know anyone and create conversations with complete strangers. I never knew what it was called but now I know.
Great post Bonnie! Im so happy you posted your comment as it goes to show all the other ambiverts, that being an ambivert is something to cherish. We dont get all the glam and reaction as our extreme cousins (Extroverts and Introverts) do but we however get to live a very balanced life, with the best of both worlds.
Theres not much point in specializing in anything, even being an introvert or extrovert as being so well endowed in certain areas (like extroverts with socializing) comes at the cost of lacking in other ones, a happy middle ground is the best thing to achieve!
Thanks for your comment :)
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A refreshing read. I have always hated the introvert/extrovert classification. I am definitely one of those people that shifts back and forth. At one point I held an office job that required analytical thinking while also working as a nightclub promoter. I was able to do both jobs and easily slide my persona to match the given context. I prefer not to be alone, but I am equally able to spend time on my own writing and working on personal projects.
Thanks Eric! youยดre a brilliant example of the problem with the classification of the introvert extrovert dichotomy. The main problem with this personality typing system is that by being included in one group, youยดre automatically excluded from the other, which is just not the case in humans as we all have a bit of everything to different degrees.
This is exactly the reason why in academic psychology they donยดt use the MBTI persinality types as they are ineffective to accurately meassure a personality, but instead, the use the Big Five test of traits (openness, concienciousness, extroversion, agreeableness and neuroticism all in different quantities but none grouping you in one side or the other).
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Eric :)
dis shit RAW. I like dis.
Thank you for this, I have always wondered how I am introverted but also confident in social situations, I don’t enjoy parties very much but that’s mainly because I’m not interested in the conversation not because I am unconfident. You can’t shut me up if I’m enjoying the conversation… Nice one! Proud Ambivert :)
Thanks for the great article! I’ve been really confused about MBTI because the % of my E and I keep wavering and they’re always on the brink. I’ve variously gotten ENFP/INFP and it’s hard to see myself as fitting into either category. Glad you discussed the Ambivert as I’ve always identified as one, and you’re right – a lot of things are situation-dependent.
Hey Rachel!,
That’s exactly the problem I was trying to address with this article. It all comes down to degrees of E or I. It’s human nature to find appeal in labeling yourself one or the other in anything, from political parties to personality types. But the truth is that there’s no one label that can encapsulate us, our ideas or beliefs entirely. It’s all contextual to the moment of time. :)
Right on SolWolf! I not only have a problem with the “introvert vs. extrovert” thing because I am both, depending on the situation, but also some of the other “either/or” things MBTI tries to pigeonhole us into. All these aspects of ourselves are situational. Another one I have issues with is “Judging vs. Perceiving.” The first time I ever took it was in college, from a career counselor, because I was struggling with what to major in (I changed majors 3X in college). I tested out as an ENFP. I actually worked for a while in one of the areas recommended for ENFP’s (retail management) and LOATHED it!!! 15 years later I ran across MBTI again in a job situation. My boss was really into personality tests and how to better “facilitate” and relate to those she supervised, a prototype ENFP if ever there was one! Taking the test this time around I came out ENFJ. I think the nature of that job had a lot to do with it. It was very “project’ oriented vs. having a set routine of daily tasks, nothing was very well defined, and I had to sort of invent my own projects as I went along. I think this situation made me long for more structure and definition, hence the “J” for judging. A few years after that, I was considering grad school and again unsure what major to pursue, so the career counseling sites led me back to good ol’ MBTI yet again. At the time I was working at a very different type of job, a horror of repetitive routine, petty rules and micro-managing policy wonks. I think I longed for some kind of intellectual freedom or creativity in this situation as much as I had longed for structure and direction at the previous job, so I tested out “P” for Perception. So I guess I’m as much of an ambidextrous amphibian on that scale as I am on the I-E scale.
Gotta check out that “Big 5” you folks keep talking about!
Thank you for sharing your experiences, your story is a perfect illustration of the danger of pigeonholing anyone. A great aspect of that danger is also the fact that we arent human beings, we are human becomings. We constantly change in life, we grow, we mature and enter new stages of our life and spiritual awakening. Some people might have been really introverted in their youth but as they grew older their Introversion become less marked, always of course abiding by the characteristics of introversion, but not necessarily as apparent. Same applies for Thinker and Feeler, I was more of a Thinker in my youth and as Ive grown and matured I have evolved more towards my Feeler side.
It all comes down to this deep need of certainly, and fear of the unknown. These personality tests are a good starting point in your journey of self understanding but they turn into hindrances down the track as the more you learn about yourself and others the more you realize how complex we all are.
I’ve taken the Meyer Briggs sorter, multiple ones at that, and the only ones I’ve ever received are INTJ and INTP. I try to be as objective as possible when taking it, but I think the fact that sometimes it’s INTP goes to show that my mood can make me see myself in a different light. And of course I take the stupid things with a grain or two of salt. They did help me out and what not, but now I just see myself as a human being with his own personal needs and drives.
Great article. A refreshing reminder for us to keep our minds open. It’s so easy to lock into a workable system simply because it’s efficient and internally cohesive. That it might not correspond completely to reality is often forgotten in the rush of self-recognition and a need to belong to something greater than ourselves. We humans are too desperate for solid, workable explanations, and this trait of ours gets us into trouble time and again.
About introversion and extroversion…I’m not sure where I am in there, though MBTI tests identify me as INFJ. I wish I didn’t get drained by group events and stimulation from my environment and my own mind as it seeks information and insights, but I do. I enjoy many of these activities, especially when the people or topics interest me, but alas, I’ve learned the hard way I must partake sparingly or risk exhaustion.
I wonder if the introversion/extroversion spectrum is also influenced by biorhythms, time of day, and overall physical and emotional health? I don’t see why not.
I know plenty of introverts who are not necessarily enlightened or insightful. I think this may have to do with how dominant and in what direction their intuition “faces,” so to speak. E.g., whether it’s Ni or Ne–another systematic way of looking at it. I must beware!–and where these manifest in a person’s “functional stack.”ย There’s a great exploration of these concepts on the Personality Junkie website. Take it all, including this comment, with a grain of salt. I’m totally b.s.ing, mainlining my intuition. My intuition made me do it, and it may or may not be in touch with reality.
There’s some fascinating psychology behind the desire to be apart of something grater than oneself. It makes us feel special identifying ourselves with ‘collectives’ be in psychological, sports fanatical or in many cases religious.ย
Perhaps your dominant functions of curiosity and activity are introverted, which explains your over stimulation easily, but your interest in meeting people are extroverted? I on the other hand am the opposite. Socializing and large events don’t tire me, I am curious about many things, but my desire to meet people is far more introverted, for I often find them annoying. Sometimes I’d wish they could just resume everything they have to say in a short biography as I think people are forced to summarize the most important aspect of their lives and thoughts into them. Perhaps too practically minded?
Thats another factor I also was thinking about. Moods of the day are very whisical, as are our personalities. They are constantly evolving with us, with our self knowledge and with our life experience. I’ve witnessed all to often people claiming they were once INFJ’s only to discover down the track their dominant feeling side changed their I’s into E’s which was originally how Jung intended it to be. It’s nice to think everything is predictable and neat into a type, but humans are far more complex than that. I’ve also hear some claim their over-stimulative natures was changed with hypnosis.ย
Your intuition will be held entirely responsible, dont you worry. That’s what I plan to blame when I’m being trialed for a crime. Texting random numbers when I’m bored to troll them: “ok they’re dead, what do I do with the body?” will eventually backfire :S.
I’m enjoying this discussion. Yes, I think your insight about the ever-changing flux of moods could apply to all aspects of identity and reality. There’s a lot more chaos and formlessness out there and in here than feels comfortable for this little human ego. I’ll latch onto almost anything–even these words and concepts–so as not to drown.
There’s a reason I believe, or interpret at least, why the many great sages throughout history spoke negatively of idolizing. From Buddha asking not to be idolized when he died, to Christianities interpretation of idolizing false “Gods”.
Words in a way are God’s, in that they have been the way people have understood God’s wishes down the times in any religion. To cling to anything, to latch on to any labeling, belief, dogma or philosophy, is to crave the comfort that comes from idolizing. Clinging creates stagnancy, as we as individuals are a dynamic flux constantly, what we like one day we dont the next, in order to discover and explore yourself at any given present moment, the one requirement is that you don’t have any preconceived ideas of who you are already (which is what idolizing or clinging to certain words, labels or beliefs does).
Agreed, discussions are much substance for ones mental chemicals. Whenever I want to contemplate on the meaningful topics of life, I stare deeply into my dogs eyes while his taking a poop and see the depths of his shame. :)
Introversion and extraversion originally were about a person’s level of expressiveness, or the quickness of their โresponseโ-time. It can also be seen in terms of how quickly one is likely to approach others for interaction.
To Jung, it was initially about the stimulatability of a person. Their dominant function would be oriented toward the preferred inner or outer world. Later on, he did make it more about the dominant function’s orientation.
If we go back to looking at the scale in terms of expressiveness instead of a hard either/or dichotomy, then it’s easy to see most people as inbetween in varying degrees somewhere. The MBTI dichotomy is just telling you which side they happen to edge out on, and that’s presumed to be enough to orient their function one way or the other.
So, Jung thought the “normal” progression was to “evolve” from I to E, did he? Well, what about those of us who were much more extroverted when we were younger, but after being badly burned by many frienemies, lost our capacity to trust others and therefore decided to cultivate what that song talks about, “The Greatest Love of All”?