What is the middle of introvert and extrovert
What is an Ambivert? Are You an Introvert, Extrovert or Ambivert?
Do you think you are an ambivert? I always have struggled with the question:
“Are you an extrovert or introvert?”
Like many people, I don’t quite fit into either category. In this article and video I want to introduce you to the concept of an ambivert.
What is an ambivert? An ambivert is someone who exhibits qualities of both introversion and extroversion, and can flip into either depending on their mood, context, and goals.
Ambiverts have also been called:
- Outgoing introverts: An introvert who can be outgoing in certain situations, around certain people, or when they absolutely need to.
- Antisocial extroverts: An extrovert who needs time to recharge before socializing, or who likes to be alone more than a typical extrovert.
- Social introverts: An introvert who can dial up into extroversion when needed.
Extroversion and introversion describe how someone reacts to people. Ambiverts are flexible in how they react to people.
- In the right context, in the right mood, around the right people, ambiverts can flip up into extroversion.
- In difficult contexts, when tired or cranky, or around toxic people, ambiverts can flip down into introversion.
Here are some of the differences between extroverts, ambiverts and introverts:
Research has found that how we react to people is physiological. This study found that we judge someone’s level of extroversion or introversion immediately–often based on facial structure. For example:
We can also self-select our tendency toward extroversion. Which explanation sounds more like you?
- I am drawn to people; I get energy from social gatherings, and am fairly outgoing. (Extrovert)
- It’s draining to be around lots of people. I prefer peace, solitude, and quiet time. I usually crave alone time in my free time.
(Introvert) - It depends. (Ambivert)
I will use the terms as labels for the sake of the article, but let’s get one thing straight:
Ambiversion Is Not a Label, It’s a Spectrum
Instead of thinking about extroversion or introversion as labels, let’s use an extroversion spectrum:
When I talk about the Big 5 Personality Traits, I explain the extroversion scale. You can rank low, high, or medium. People who fall in the middle of the spectrum are called ambiverts.
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Why Ambiverts Are Amazing
Many people assume that extroverts are the best at sales, the best leaders, and the most successful at work—WRONG! Adam Grant, an associate professor at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, analyzed 35 separate studies and found the statistical relationship between extroversion and income was basically zero.
He conducted a personality survey and collected three-month sales records for more than 300 salespeople, both male and female.
The people who ranked right in the middle for extroversion and introversion–ambiverts–turned out to be the best salespeople.
“Ambiverts pulled in 24% more revenue than introverts, and a mind-boggling 32% more revenue than extroverts!”
Grant theorized that ambiverts seem to strike a balance between the two more extreme personality traits:
“The ambivert advantage stems from the tendency to be assertive and enthusiastic enough to persuade and close, but at the same time, listening carefully to customers and avoiding the appearance of being overly confident or excited,” Grant said.
Are You An Ambivert?
First, let’s find out how you rank on the scale. Do you think you might be an ambivert? Or do you know one in your life? Take the Ambivert Quiz:
Take the Quiz
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Situational Introversion
Ambiverts typically slide up and down the spectrum depending on the situation, context, and people around them.
I call this situational introversion.
For example, certain locations make me extremely nervous and quiet—nightclubs, rooftop bars, and stereotypically ‘chic’ places make me feel super out of place. Whereas, in learning environments — such as classrooms, workshops or seminars — you can’t get me to shut up. I constantly have my hand raised, try to make friends with everyone sitting within ten feet of me, and always ask for extra credit.
If you want to master your people skills you have to build a solid foundation.
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Find Your Nourishing Locations
I split locations into three categories: Survive, Neutral, and Thrive.
Use this list of common places to find your top three thrive locations — places where you are your best self, and your top three survive locations — places where you dread going.
- Bars
- Nightclubs
- Restaurants
- House Party
- Board Rooms
- Office Meetings
- Conferences
- Coffee Shops
- Cocktail Party
- Backyard BBQ
- Networking Event
For example, here are mine:
When you know where you thrive, you can build your schedule and your time around the locations where you can be your best self.
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Find Your Nourishing People
People also can affect where we fall on the extroversion scale. Who brings out the best in you? Are there people you dread seeing? How about people you can’t get enough of?
Right now, make a list of the toxic and nourishing people in your life:
Nourishing:
Toxic:
See every person on that nourishing list? Text, email, or call them right now to get together.
See every person on that toxic list? You deserve to be around people who sustain you.
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The Ambivert Advantage
Being able to balance both extroversion and introversion is an asset. Study these associated traits, courtesy of Larry Kim:
- Flexible: Ambiverts typically can adapt to context and situations more easily.
- Stable: According to psychologist Hans Eysenck, who coined the term “ambivert” in 1947, ambiverts offer a good balance between the hypersensitivity of some introverts and the domineering attitude of some extroverts.
- Intuitive: Daniel Pink said that ambiverts “know when to speak up and when to shut up, when to inspect and when to respond, when to push and when to hold back.”
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Ambivert Problems
With all that flexibility comes some liabilities. Since ambiverts can be so flexible, they often run into a few problems:
- They love to talk to people, but want to plan it out first.
- They say yes to too many things because they aren’t sure what will work best for them.
- Their extroverted side says yes to things in the future, but then their introverted side had a hard day and no longer wants to go.
- When they’re in a bad mood…nothing sounds fun.
- They like going out only when they are in the right mood, with the right people.
- 18 more problems only ambiverts face.
Sometimes ambiverts are caught in the middle — between their desire to be extroverted and the needs of their introverted side.
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Amplify Your Ambiversion
Now I want you to leverage your ambiversion! Here’s how:
“The ambivert advantage stems from the tendency to be assertive and enthusiastic enough to persuade and close, but at the same time, listening carefully to customers and avoiding the appearance of being overly confident or excited,” Grant said. Know when to flexibly use the traits that serve you.
I want you to take control of how you spend your time, and who you spend it with. I am giving you permission: you do not have to spend time with people who drain you, or in places that drain you.
Life is too short to spend time with toxic people in draining places!
If you have to see a toxic person—such as a family member or co-worker–use time-blocking to buffer time spent with them. If you know you’re going to see them, be sure to schedule in some recharge time for yourself before or after. You also can have an escape route or excuse ready to go if your time with them runs long.
Use scheduling to your advantage by blocking out times and places that work best for your personality.
What is an ambivert?
An ambivert is someone who exhibits qualities of both introversion and extroversion, and can flip into either depending on their mood, context, and goals.
How do you pronounce ambivert?
Here’s the ambivert pronunciation: am-buh-vurt
Remember: There is no right or wrong personality type. The only right thing to do is to live, act, and address who you really are. Act on your strengths, purge toxicity, and get to know your true self.
Want to get to know your fellow colleagues? Read up on Introverts and Extroverts.
7 Signs You're An Ambivert, The Introvert-Extrovert Mix
What is an ambivert?
An ambivert is someone who has a balance of both introversion and extroversion, with the ability to lean more into one or the other depending on the context.
For example, where introverts may prefer to listen while extroverts prefer to chat, an ambivert will likely have no trouble with either. They're flexible. An ambivert's propensity for introversion and extroversion can change depending on individual needs in any given moment or situation.
Psychiatrist Carl Jung was the first to come up with the concepts of "introvert" and "extrovert," though he didn't give a name for those in the middle of these two personality types—that was Kimball Young in the 1920s.
"Almost all of us are ambiverts to some degree," psychotherapist Ken Page, LCSW, tells mbg. All of us are located somewhere along the spectrum between introversion and extroversion, meaning we do have access to both sets of personality traits in varying degrees and forms. Even though you'll be assigned an "E" or "I" in your Myers-Briggs personality type, for example, everyone is actually somewhere in the middle of the spectrum.
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Signs you may be an ambivert:
1.
Neither "introvert" nor "extrovert" feel accurate for describing your personality.
If you've always struggled to pick between these two labels, that's a good sign you might be an ambivert. Ambiverts have introvert qualities like enjoying alone time, being a good listener, and being enthralled by human's internal worlds—but they also love spending time with others, have a lot of confidence, and have great social skills like extroverts.
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2.
You need your "me time" just as much as social time.
You get energized both by being around others (like extroverts) and by spending recharging time alone (like introverts). Perhaps you enjoy them both equally, or the one you enjoy the most fluctuates depending on what's going on in your life. Personalities change all the time. Perhaps you've had phases in your life when you needed a lot of alone time and periods of time when you were all about the social gatherings and social situations.
It's all good stuff to you!
3.
You prefer a balance of both solo and group work.
Ambiverts are all about balance. They tend to see the value of both doing things on their own and doing things as a collective, and they prefer a mix of both.
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4.
Both too much alone time and too much time with others can feel draining.
Importantly, ambiversion is not the same as "anything goes." While ambiverts are flexible, they're not without needs. Often that means that lack of enough alone time or lack of enough quality time with others can feel exhausting. Again, the balance is the key.
5.
You appreciate good conversation but also value comfortable silence.
Extroverts tend to be talkers. Introverts tend to be listeners. Ambiverts can play both roles easily. They love a roaring conversation and being the life of the party, but they're not bothered when the conversation dies down or attention goes elsewhere.
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6.
Small talk doesn't bother you, though you also love deep conversations.
Introverts are notorious for hating small talk, aka more surface-level conversations about the weather and what you did today. They tend to prefer getting way deeper, having long and introspective conversations. Extroverts, on the other hand, tend to be chatty and love talking about everything under the sun without discrimination. Ambiverts love it all: the small talk, the big talk, the deep stuff, and the silly stuff.
7.
You have a lot of friends and a handful of close friends.
Extroverts tend to have a whole lot of friends, whereas introverts tend to have just a handful of close friends they spend time with. Ambiverts have both: a huge extended network of friends and folks they spend time with, as well as a smaller set of close friends they're really intimate with.
Where ambiverts thrive.
"It seems that ambiverts are fantastic for sales work—there's actually data on this—because they know how to listen, but they also know how to move toward the sale and engage in that kind of way," Page notes, referencing research by organizational psychologist Adam Grant on the so-called ambivert advantage. "Teachers are a good role too because you get that interpersonal connection, but it also involves planning and reflection that takes going inside. Similarly, ambiverts make good therapists because you do a lot of listening but also interacting and talking."
In general, a career that involved some degree of group work and collaboration, along with solo work, benefits ambiverts.
Socially, ambiverts can thrive both in social settings and by themselves. It will vary greatly depending on any given day and what you're in the mood for. As such, "finding people who give space to who you are, in our friendships and intimate relationships," is very important, according to Page.
"We need to be with people who are not rubbed the wrong way by our personality and offer deep nourishment to these roots of our being."
The pros and cons of ambiversion.
While it may seem like there are only upsides to ambiversion—and there are plenty—this personality can come with its own set of challenges.
Ambiverts are very flexible and adaptable to different situations and people. They're great at knowing how to interact with different personalities because they can relate to lots of different people. Their balance of extroversion and introversion makes them less likely to experience the downsides of either, like missing out on interpersonal connections (introverts) or lacking an inner connection to themselves (extroverts).
However, this flexibility can make it difficult to pinpoint what they might want or need. Ever made plans when feeling extroverted, but then the day comes and your inner introvert pokes its head out? This is a common occurrence for ambiverts, as their mood and desires can and will change.
It's a gift to have this balance, Page says, but that makes it all the more important to be connected to our feelings and what actually feels good for us in the moment. "It's a matter of following our feelings in a more subtle way," he explains.
Ambiversion requires a lot of self-awareness to honor your own feelings, whether that means reaching out to others or finding solace in our thoughts. As Page explains, it's worth our while to tune into ourselves and find out what nourishes us most, regardless of where we are on the spectrum.
Ambivert - between introvert and extrovert | What does ambivert mean
- General characteristics of ambivert
- Ambivert temperament type
- Features of ambivert
- Characteristics and features of the ambivert
If many people have at least a general idea about extroverts and introverts, then the term ambivert is not so well known. Actually, they began to use it in psychology relatively recently, although Jung himself, who worked on the theory of extraversion and introversion, noted that there is something in between these two polar points.
This is an ambivert psychotype. We propose to understand, what does this word mean and what characterizes this type of personality .
General characteristics of the ambivert
The word "ambivert" is translated from Latin as "both", which reflects the main characteristic. An ambivert is a person who, depending on the situation, shows the features of both an introvert and an extrovert. Usually ambiverts successfully join new/large companies, have no problems communicating even with strangers, make and maintain social contacts.
Recall that, according to Eysenck, the main difference between these psychotypes is in the way of replenishing energy: extroverts are recharged from external impressions and social contacts, and introverts - from internal emotions and the opportunity to be alone. Accordingly, the definition of "ambivert" suggests that such people can replenish energy along both vectors .
In practice, this means that they are ready to both have fun in a big company, and spend a wonderful evening with a blanket, a book and a cup of tea. While the typical introvert and typical extrovert will choose only one of these options and be dismayed by the other, to the ambivert they are both equally attractive. It's is the most flexible psychotype , which adapts perfectly to the situation and can take advantage of both introverts and extroverts.
Type of temperament of the ambivert
The temperament of the ambivert in psychology depends on the values on the scale of neuroticism. If the indicator is high, such a person may show the features of a choleric or melancholic, if it is low, a sanguine or phlegmatic person. If the test showed average values, most likely, in front of you is a tetravert, that is, a person in whom all types of temperament are expressed approximately the same. Such a person is characterized by even greater flexibility.
We offer two temperament tests: the EPI test will show the levels of psychotism and neuroticism, and the Belov formula will show the percentage of all types of temperament in your personality.
Features of an ambivert
It is worth noting that even bright extroverts have a need for silence and solitude, and bright introverts also need communication. Against this background, the main feature of the ambivert is that it easily switches between two types of behavior
- much easier than introverts and extroverts. If for them to act in an unusual role for themselves means to spend more energy than usual, then for an ambivert it means to adapt to the situation and recharge from what is.
On the other hand, a characteristic feature of ambiverts is that they cannot always be at one of the poles of extraversion/introversion : they need to change roles in one way or another , recharged either from communication or from contemplation of pictures. And since the behavior of an ambivert is largely dictated by the environment, different people can know representatives of this psychotype from completely different angles.
If you work together, it may seem to you that he is more of an extrovert, and if you watch TV shows together in the evenings, that he is more of an introvert.
Characteristics and signs of an ambivert
Features of communication
Certain features of communication are manifested in ambiverts depending on the situation: with whom and how they communicate. Representatives of this type are not as intrusive and assertive as extroverts, and also do not treat social contacts so superficially. Like introverts, ambiverts listen to the feelings and emotions of others , try not to offend them (even by accident), not to embarrass them.
All this, combined with a greater predisposition to communication, makes representatives of this type very pleasant conversationalists and quite reliable friends .
In their work, this helps them to be successful where communication is required. Sometimes ambiverts are even more successful in this regard than extroverts, because they strive not only to speak, but also to listen, to feel the interlocutor.
Often ambiverts have a wider social circle than introverts, at the same time they set more intimate contacts than extroverts, which automatically limits the number of really close friends.
Ambiverts are able to work productively both independently and in a team . However, in large companies, they are unlikely to want to take a leading position and may be more listening than talking. In communication with introverts, on the contrary, there may be those who more or less gently push them to communicate or go out. In such companies, ambiverts become active themselves.
Personal qualities
Among the characteristics of an ambivert, it is worth noting that can do monotonous work , although not for as long as introverts. However, they are easier to climb , more willing to take risks. Like extroverts, it is easier for ambiverts to move up the career ladder, as they communicate more often with clients and their management, speak at various events,
maintain contacts, can win over themselves - in a word, they are more noticeable.
At the same time, like introverts, when planning future actions or solving problems, ambiverts try to think over and analyze all aspects of in order to make an informed decision. Flexibility and adaptability helps them find ways out even from difficult situations. Many representatives of this type are not afraid of difficulties and do not succumb to failures and problems. Ambiverts are more laid back and generally don't show the same outbursts or even outbursts of emotion as extroverts.
As you can see, this psychotype is really very flexible and combines the advantages of introverts and extroverts. Therefore, for an ambivert, the most important thing is to timely use different aspects of his personality type . For some, this is obtained on a subconscious level, while others should work additionally in this direction. At the same time, natural flexibility will make such work very effective.
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Types of characters Extraversion / introversion
Many people think that an introvert and an extrovert are just two sides of the same coin.
Will you stay at home on Friday night or meet up with friends? Will you be the center of attention or away from the spotlights? In fact, a person is not white or black, there are no pure types in psychology, experts assure. There are people, for example, very tall or short, but most strive for average values. So it is with extroversion. This is just one of the five main personality traits (openness to new things, conscientiousness, pleasantness, neuroticism), so it cannot completely determine our behavior. Let's take a closer look at what introvert and extrovert mean.
Vita Zorina
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Introvert
extrovert
The famous psychiatrist Carl Jung at the beginning of the 20th century identified types of people - extroverts and introverts.
In psychology, this distinction became convenient and popular, and over time began to be used to define a person in ordinary life. Knowing who you belong to, it is easier to understand yourself and choose a circle of friends. Sometimes it seems to us that the world is ruled and dominated by extroverts. Although in reality, they can simply make themselves louder, making more noise. But is the gap really that deep between an introvert and an extrovert? Do the former really need help and support in order to develop their own talents and not remain on the margins?
Everything is not as categorical as it seems at first glance. Yes, open and closed people exist. But there are many examples when an extrovert and an introvert behave in unexpected ways, because each person throughout life demonstrates flexibility and opens up from different angles. And in these categories there is a place for the golden mean. We will talk about it and the main opposites from the point of view of psychology below.
What does introverted personality type mean? The tendency to introversion is manifested if you like to spend time alone with yourself, your thoughts and ideas. If you do not know how to determine whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, try to find the following main features in yourself. They are characteristic of those who prefer to isolate themselves from the outside world more often.
- love of being alone;
- unwillingness to be the center of attention;
- one-on-one preference;
- first think, then do;
- recovery alone;
- work in a quiet independent environment;
- secrecy.
There is a big difference between introversion and shyness. Shy people are often also afraid of what others will think of them, while introverts do not have negative emotions and such fears.
Just because introverts don't like big groups doesn't mean they can't make friends and relationships.
In this sense, they are almost no different from extroverts. In addition, they can make great careers simply by sticking to roles where loneliness is possible: accounting, engineering, writing, driving trucks, etc.
The main difference between an introvert and an extrovert is the desire to focus more often on their own feelings and thoughts . They are characterized by a greater concentration than representatives of the opposite camp. It is unfair to call them socially isolated, selfish or unhappy people.
Introverts also desire to communicate, show feelings and care for others. But the difference is that an introvert will do all this with more restraint, "impartiality" than an extrovert. So the talk that people who are less generous with emotions love order too much, are sensitive to negativity, or are “on their own minds” are also groundless. These are already other characteristics, from the category of neuroticism.
How an extraverted personality type manifests itself
Whoever is hard to blame for passivity or love of solitude is an extrovert.
He just needs to draw strength from external sources. To shine and find grateful listeners in the society is about them. Hence the significant differences: an extrovert knows how to present himself, and an introvert, no matter how smart and educated, is not always capable of this.
Such people direct their energy outwards - to other people and the realization of their ideas. We have looked at personality types in which an introvert manifests itself, and you can compare the main traits with an extrovert.
- many acquaintances and friends;
- love of attention;
- quick decision making;
- getting energy from being among people;
- enthusiasm and positive attitude;
- work in a team or group.
Extroverts tend to get more support from other people when they find themselves in a difficult situation. And in general, there is a stereotype that society loves extroverts more, so they more often become leaders and choose sales, marketing, PR and other areas where communication with people is important.
It is important to remember that this is only one of the characteristics. And there is a big difference between a pleasant introvert and a rude extrovert.
By the way, introverts are often referred to as overly sensitive people, unlike extroverts. The latter, they say, go through life easier and are not led to mental troubles. American psychologist and researcher Elaine Eyron has carefully studied the issue of sensitivity and came to curious conclusions. In particular, the writer noticed that Jung singled out in extroverts a love of risk, the ability to enter into a conversation without a shadow of a doubt and speak their mind. In his opinion, introverts are completely incapable of these feats.
And Elaine Ayron believes that about a third of highly sensitive people can be called extroverts. She singled out the concept of "social extrovert", which differs from Jung's introvert in that the former easily make acquaintances and feel confident in crowded places.
Otherwise, they are even similar.
The definition of introvert and extrovert can help leaders and managers when working with employees. In particular, when issuing orders. It will be more difficult for an extrovert to cope with a task that requires perseverance and attention to detail. And it is desirable to encourage the initiative of introverts, not allowing extroverts to become "irritants" in the team.
Despite the fact that the extrovert and introvert have significant differences, they are able to get along in the same unit of society. You probably noticed in the company a ringleader and a “quiet woman”, in a pair a more impulsive spouse and her “obedient” husband, and so on. They find compromises and interact with the whole world, and not just representatives of their "clan".
An introvert and an extrovert at the same time: an ambivert type
As soon as a friend refrains from a verbose conversation or wants to read a book alone on the weekend, you involuntarily begin to write him down as an introvert.
Labels are always easier to attach. So there is a feeling that the person was able to “bite through”, which means it will be easier to build an appropriate relationship with him. But you should know that there are not only extrovert and introvert, but also other concepts.
Introverts and extroverts view pleasure differently. Their source for this is different. For one, this is a quiet rest, and for the other, being in the center of attention. But if after a noisy party there comes a desire to sit alone, this is the golden mean. The ambivert is the bridge between the introvert and the extrovert, containing the qualities of both. Psychologists believe that it is mixed personality types that prevail. Barry Smith, professor emeritus and director of the Laboratory of Human Psychophysiology at the University of Maryland, claims that ambiverts make up 68% of the total population.
Thanks to this view, we understand that not everything is so simple in the psychological portraits of people.
Ambiver is the middle between the introvert and the extrovert, it has its features:
- Flexibility in communication
- The ability to appreciate the charms of loneliness
- The desire to go out (dosage)
- ability to adapt to the situation
- good listener and speaker
They took the best from two fronts, combining the character of an introvert and an extrovert. According to psychologists, ambiverts become worthy managers because they show leadership qualities and remain reasonable, able to stop and delve into issues. They are equally comfortable shining in society and secluded from prying eyes.
Indiana State University Shyness Research Institute Director Bernardo Carducci believes that the prevalence of introversion and extraversion is strongly influenced by genetics. The cross between an extrovert and an introvert - ambiversion - is also a hereditary tendency, not an acquired one.
How to know if you are an introvert, extrovert or ambivert
Most people are in the middle of the extraversion scale. This means that an introvert and an extrovert in their absolute form are extremely rare. And this is very good. Everyone has their own temperament, which reveals our emotionality to one degree or another, reflects actions. But this is only one of the puzzles of the multifaceted nature of man.
Extroverts and introverts, whose characteristics should not be reduced to the peremptory "open soul" and "lone wolf", can actually make friends. To do this, it is enough to mark the boundaries and build a dialogue.
There are many tests to determine your type, but they are of little importance and should not determine your life as the ultimate truth. Experts believe that one cannot forcibly change one's personality by stepping on one's own throat. But with a signal to leave the comfort zone, everyone can show and develop the necessary qualities.
