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).
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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Thanks for this.. people don’t necessarily have to fit in a box to be able to function fully as human. I’m probably ambivert as stated in this article.. I enjoy reading books, but sometimes I also long to be with people.. nice article ^_^
Thank you grasya, that’s exactly right. Boxing people up is a great way to deal with fears of uncertainty but it is quite detrimental towards our perception of life, what we believe our limitations to be and the possibilities to bond and grow in ways we never thought possible.
This was a great article.
It’s funny, our searches for answers about ourselves lead us to jam ourselves into black and white categories because those are the answers that hit you in the face first. But not everything in those categories align to the way we see ourselves. I wish everyone realized that they’re an “ambivert” in many ways. Maybe then us truth seekers and purpose hunters could chill out :)
Hola Allison,
It is the nature of emotional imbalance to react in extremes when we are not centered in ourselves. Extroversion has been encouraged for so long that I can see how people with more Introverted traits would feel entirely misunderstood. Now that the awareness of Introversion is out, there is an immense desire to identify and feel empowered by it.
But the intentions of Jung were always the opposite; even though he had strong introvert traits, his life work was to find ways to balance out our inner polarities (shadow selves, extroversion etc..) so they can live harmoniously. This is natures way of balancing out an exaggeratedly extroverted society by having introverts react with such a big bang.
Thank you for sharing your insights :). It will someday be the case when with sincerity we all realize we aren’t different boxes but simply the same one, from a different angle.
Yes, exactly. I love what you said, we’re all just the same box from a different angle.
I like the article, this is a new term for me and since I identified as half introvert half extrovert I can say my new description is ambivert. I don’t like the brain pic however because it portrays the introverted mind as dreary and dull. I think both halves would have color and more interesting activities on the introverted side.
I also agree. Personality tests are difficult for me as the answer usually depends on the context.
It will the most common pitfall in our journeys of self-discovery to attach ourselves to a label and believe our quest to be over.
I’m happy to see you’re not making that mistake.
I noticed in your videos that you are of Haitian descent. So is my mother!. Sak Pase!
I’m sorry. The above comment was meant for another board. I tried to delete it but Disquss won’t let me.
BTW, I got about 60% Ambivert and 40% Extrovert – “about” because again it depends on the context. I’m not surprised, though. Most people think of me as pure Extrovert – especially if I forget to shield off from other’s energies so get hyper. But they get confused when they get to know me. I love to hang out with people but. I also like to hang out with just me and/or my family. My perfect life would be to socialize one day and then be alone the next – and keep alternating.
Thank you very much for sharing this, and yes. Ambievert usually is an indepedence personality. Also, excuse my bad English, please… It’s not my mother tongue.
You’re English is fine Nur, English isn’t my first language either ;).
We like to divide the universe into separates ‘parts’ in order to understand it better which is fine for practical reasons like self-understanding. But we must also be aware that this division is illusionary, in fact, we are all Ambiverts and there is only one personality type with different degree’s of social necessity.
I got 55% does that mean I am a for sure Ambivert?
Hola Karen,
If you fell right in the middle of the spectrum it does mean that you’re quite balanced in your Extroversion meaning you’re not too Introverted nor to Extroverted; just right :).
I disagree with you, saying indirectly that myers briggs types have only either extroverted or introverted functions, cause actually every type has 2 cognitive functions of both sides and two shadow functions of both sides
the four letters are only used to tell you, which functions you use in which order
so as an ENFP for example, my intuition is extroverted and my strongest function, which is why I seem extroverted to others and classified as such, but my second strongest function is introverted feeling, and this side of mine is as the name says it very introverted and the biggest introverted part of my personality
I see myself as an ambivert too, but my explanation is that I am an ENFP with a strong Fi (introverted feeling), which is totally possible in mbti
Hola MK,
MBTI can be flexible when it is extended to resemble the socionics personality indexing but in actuality most people don’t use it as specifically as you do (“with a strong Fi” is something rare to hear).
MBTI is not taken seriously in academic psychology due to these inaccuracies which is why I offer and suggest the Big 5 Types which is a bit more specific and universally accepted.
But this article isn’t about MBTI, it’s about the identification with the extreme functions of Introversion and Extroversion when in fact most of us are somewhere in the middle and slightly leaning to one side or the other.
My intention is to remove unnecessary psychological and personality separations we create for each other. These personality functions are great to learn about to discover more about yourself but the moment they start creating a friction of Innies Vs Outties then we begin to have a problem.
I’m a true ambvert– Every Myers Briggs no matter how hard I pushed to get it to decide could never waver more than 7 points from 50-50! It’s true, it’s unavoidable– I’m Ms. Ambivert!
Welcome to our borderline club :)
Hello don Mateo,
I simply wish to Thank You for the “Ambivert / Loner Wolf” article. Since childhood I have struggled to understand my own personality, (which sounds ridiculous when said aloud), nor why, conflicted, I rarely fit in. (Astrologically speaking, I am also a Leo; Libra rising, Moon in Scorpio. Now, if you know anything about astrology then you know how deeply the confusion ran).
Today, professionally, I am a top sales manager for a Fortune 500 company; yet, personally, I will, (happily), find ‘busy-work” in the kitchen rather than mingle with guests. Geez… I thought I was a freak –>> Seriously!! However don Mateo, now I know I am not a freak; instead, I am merely a “Loner Wolf” ~ an “Ambivert”, searching for a quiet peace…
For the first time EVER don Mateo, I feel free ~ Finally, I feel free….
Thank You! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insight; you sir, are Greatly Appreciated.
Hola Jaxon,
I know all to well the confusion and struggle one can undergo when trying to understand and accept oneself :), I’m overjoyed to hear that my article has help you in such a deep way.
Being a Loner Wolf is one of the most liberating experiences there are, learning to truly be you, to know that you don’t have to be the way others expect and the vast wealth of inner richness that comes with enjoying solitude.
A Loner Salesman is perhaps the most beautiful of Ambivert jobs hahah, the best of both worlds, the perfect balance.
Thank you for sharing with me and our readers a bit of your great story and life as an ambivert :).
Way to go! I now feel normal :)
And feeling normal is pretty unique :)