I’m a big fan of personality tests. My favorite is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. You know the one that gives you a result with four letters? Yeah, that one.
Inevitably, when I take one of the Myers-Briggs online tests, I come out about fifty/fifty on the introvert/extrovert scale. Sometimes I tip slightly over to E (51-52%) and other times I flip over to the same percentage for I. So which am I? The one I started out with as a child (definitely I) or the one I worked so hard to change into as a young adult (E)? Which am I? So I turn, as usual, to the internet for answers.
First, let’s define our terms. Strong qualities of an extrovert include: action oriented, importance placed on breadth of knowledge and influence, enjoys frequent interaction with people, recharges from spending time with people, “fades” when alone, thinks as they speak and prefers thinking out ideas through speech instead of in own head, enjoys large social gatherings. Strong qualities of an introvert include: thought oriented, importance placed on depth of knowledge and influence, enjoys substantial interaction with people, recharges from spending time alone, often prefers solitary activities (not necessarily because of shyness or social awkwardness), more likely to think before speaking, may be more reserved and/or less outspoken.
Wonderful Wikipedia informs me there is a third option: ambiversion, which includes those people who fall in the middle of the extroversion-introversion spectrum. Ambiverts enjoy social interaction and groups but also value their alone time. Interestingly, Britannica informs me that most people are ambiverts. This is where, I suppose, I fall in. In a lot of ways I fit the introvert mold well, but sometimes I do enjoy groups of people and hashing out ideas with others. And the easiest way for me to recharge is neither in big groups (this doesn’t work for me at all) or alone time (this works better, but too much unfocused alone time and I will start wallowing). My favorite way to recharge is with conversation time either one-on-one or in small groups, discussing ideas, thoughts and feelings in a more intimate environment.
Is this typical for ambiverts? Here the internet fails me; most of the articles on the subject unearthed by a quick Google search don’t seem overly substantial.
And why do I even care? The internet does help me here, making these possibly wild claims:
– “Extroverts make up about 75% of the American population.”
Hmm, no wonder I care! However, while the majority of Americans may be extroverts (I have no idea of the validity of this statement), I don’t buy this idea of extroverts as the ideal of personality. Both types have their pros as well as their cons — while the extroverts might have more obvious ones, I would personally rather be in a conversation with someone who thinks before they speak. And there are loads of famous, successful people on both sides of the spectrum, although interestingly, it is much easier to find lists featuring the introverted ones (yet more evidence of the value judgments being placed on this dichotomy in our culture).
Maybe our society would be a healthier place if we obsessed less about the introvert-extrovert question and spent more time trying to understand each other as individuals and being basically kind to one another. The Myers-Briggs test is meant, after all, as a tool of self understanding, not another way to bash at your self esteem or feel superior to others.
Now it’s your turn to weigh in: are you an extrovert, introvert, or ambivert? If you’re an ambivert, how do you recharge? How important do you find these distinctions?
The Practical Free Spirit 
I go through polar cycles. I’m obviously a very strong extrovert much of the time — outspoken, unreserved, unfiltered, love being around people, totally comfortable being the center of attention, etc, and Myers-Briggs tends to place me squarely in that category. But I DO get overwhelmed and peopled-out and need to retreat on occasion. Sometimes for months. So I think that makes me an ambivert, or an extremevert. I’d never heard the term before and quite like it!
I’d never heard the term ambivert either! I spent a long time trying to come up with my own term before wikipedia set me straight. 🙂
I really do think there’s something in the whole “ambivert” idea. I know other obvious “extroverts” who occasionally need their alone time as well, and many “introverts” who quite enjoy being social. Interesting stuff….
That makes you Bi-Polar!!!!
Ah, the Internet and its wild claims. Those sound as bad as newspaper headlines. FWIW, I think that what’s really selected for in professional success is the ability to gracefully handle social situations. Extroverts have a version of this which is very visible, which I think is where you get ideas like the ones you linked to, but they’re often weaker in the 1:1 relationships, and that’s where you get stereotypes like the extremely friendly sales guy who’s a total asshole to his direct reports. The actual social skills of value, I think, are a combination of intro-, extro- and ambi-vert talents.
I tend to fall in the middle too, right on the I/E border in the Myers-Briggs. But I’ve noticed that when stressed, I tend to move in the introverted direction. Perhaps that’s a more meaningful indicator, since presumably everyone oscillates at least sometimes?
It does seem that a lot of people oscillate, and perhaps it’s really about finding the right personal balance. I think a lot of people need both social time and alone time, but the ratios differ. Of course, I also need one-on-one time, but it’s valuable for me to be aware of this, since then I can make more effort to make it happen.
Introvert here with extrovert training.
I’m not sure what importance can be attached to these general types, except perhaps in terms of lifestyle and occupation. Obviously a strongly introverted person is going to do well in more isolated endeavors, and an extrovert would make for a more social animal. Both types are important.
I’d never heard of an ‘ambivert’ before either. Maybe that’s what I’ve become in my later years here.
That’s a really interesting point. I wonder if the majority of people, as they grow older, equalize into ambiverts as they learn to compensate for their weaknesses and become more balanced.
This is exactly why I dislike the Myers-Brigg test, because I flip on two of the letters. I agree that the extrovert/introvert dichotomy is crap… but I also can’t support a test that buys into that system.
I do fit the ambivert definition most of the time. I need my alone space (preferably with a comfortable bed) to recharge. I also cannot stand sudden loud noises – my boyfriend vacuums the apartment and I leave, usually, because it freaks me out.
On the other hand, I do love meeting new people and as long as social interactions are less than an hour, I thrive. But I find them wearing after a point…
Again, this is a great read, Amy! I’m glad to know I’m among ambivert friends 🙂 Have you ever taken the Strengths test?
No, I’ve never even *heard* of the Strengths test. But now I want to take it! From what I’ve found about it through Google, it looks very intriguing.
It’s inducing strange feelings of solidarity within me to hear about fellow ambiverts. 🙂
Yes! Ambiverts shall rule the world!
I think you would find the Strengths test fascinating. It pinned my personality down perfectly, which shocked me. Sometimes places offer free Strengths tests – I’ll keep my eye out for one so you can take it too!
Is this the Clifton “StrengthsFinder” test that you’re talking about? Or is it another one?
(I once took SF 1.0 as part of a leadership course, and it was very interesting. I’ve heard that the 2.0 version is significantly improved.)
I just took one of the Strengths test and it was very fun! Pretty much told me what I already knew, but hey, I’m always a sucker for multiple choice questionnaires about myself.
Which is probably also indicative of something….
I just checked and yes indeed, that’s the one I took for a job I had years ago. I would love to take the 2.0 version some day!
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Danielle. Danielle said: RT @amysundberg: Which are you: extrovert, introvert, or ambivert? Tell me here or over at my blog: http://bit.ly/b4ZkSU […]
The last time I took this test was in college, and I fell squarely into ambivert territory. Like you, I was severely introverted as a child and trained myself to be more extroverted. Most of the time I fall in between. As you’ve personally witnessed though, sometimes one extreme or the other rears its head (and I either babble incessantly or clam up and don’t talk at all).
Not sure I’d want to take the test again. I’m really okay with who I am and I don’t think knowing what it says will do anything for me 😛
I think the important thing to take away is that it doesn’t matter what the test says in terms of value judgments (ie, oh, being an I (or any other letter for that matter) is a bad thing to be). If these sorts of test help with greater self knowledge, I think that’s awesome. If they’re entertaining, that’s great too.
If, on the other hand, they are boring, then meh. Might as well be more productive with your time. 🙂
I too am an ambivert, but I come out introvert on Myers-Briggs. Where I tend to flip in between T and F.
I agree that America tends to favor extroverts. I don’t agree necessarily that extroverts are happier. My husband is definitely an introvert. He becomes unhappy in loud places with a lot of people.
But if you let him be in his comfort zone, he’s perfectly happy.
Yes, I agree one hundred percent that different people have different things that make them happy, and different *ways* of being happy. And as long as none of the ways are actively harming others, I say go for it! 🙂
We just did a big round of MBTI testing at work, so I took a half dozen of the online tests. I always come out as a judgmental introvert, but I tend to flip flop on the other two categories (sensing/intuition and thinking/feeling). I have no idea what that means 🙂
My father is an extreme extrovert, so I was lucky to get a lot of training, early in life, on how to emulate that sort of behavior. I can channel my father for very limited periods of time (at parties, certain work situations, or when meeting new people), but it leaves me *completely* exhausted.
I have noticed that introversion (at least, in my case) is somewhat situational. When I worked in an office I hated after work socializing, and went out of my way to avoid social situations with any more than a very, very small handful of friends. Now that I’ve been working from home for three years I find that I eagerly await social occasions and talk a mile a minute when put anywhere near another human being (apologies to everyone subjected to this 🙂
Ana had the same experience in reverse. When I worked in the office, she was at home finishing her thesis, so she really wanted to go out. Now that she works in an office, I can’t pry her out of the apartment with a crowbar most days.
I’m very curious about the reports that extroverts are generally happier. I can think of a lot of hypothesis for why that is true, but not a lot of evidence to support many of them. It could depend on the messy, instinctive soup that is our evolutionary heritage, or it could be purely societal, or some mix of both. It does seem like there is a feedback loop at work for extroverts. They get positive feedback from other people, which makes them happier, which gets them more positive feedback, etc. Introverts get less of that feedback partly because they just interact with people less, but maybe also because their interactions tend to be more intense (am I over-generalizing?).
Regarding the whole extroverts are happier thing: I think this really depends from person to person. However, I do think part of it is quite likely to be societal, and possibly also part of a “youth” culture. I remember in college, I expected myself to have social plans on Friday nights. I might show up late in order to do what I actually wanted to do (which at the time was work on my songwriting), but if I didn’t have any plans, I felt I wasn’t living up to certain expectations. Nowadays, I might go out to see a play or go out to dinner on a Friday night, or I might stay in, read, and talk to Yony. I am equally happy both ways because now I care more about what I’m in the mood to do and less about what my life looks like from the outside.
Another interesting thing to ponder: I wonder if extroverts appear happier in a physical way –> for example, talking a lot and laughing at parties, smiling more, more excited and/or energetic body language etc. Since they are more likely to exhibit happiness signs in groups of people, ie when they *can* be observed, it makes sense that assumptions could develop that they are happier *all the time*, even though this may not be true at all.
I’m an ambivert….depending on the day and sometimes the hour. I swing from needing large crowds with lots of random interaction, to needing alone time with a book. My husband is odd in that he hates being around people, unless he is performing. He has been in several bands and now presents at conferences for work. When he isn’t doing those type of things, he wants to at home, in the woods, or driving on a back country road. We are both happy (for the most part!) with our lives.
I really agree with the thought that extroverts just give outward appearances of happiness moreso than intro or ambiverts.
Great thought provoking post!
Thank you! It is so interesting to hear about how other people have struck a balance. It seems like no one considers themselves to be just one way all the time.
I’m with your husband. For me, performing is a completely different thing than say, hanging out at a large party at which I know no one. I’m much more comfortable with the performing. 🙂
I come out fifty-fifty, too, Amy! (Are we twins?)
Thank you for enlightening me on what an Ambivert is. I had no idea.
I can only handle so much time with other people before I have to be alone. I feel great having spent time being social, but then I need to cocoon a bit and recover. Like you, if I spend too much time alone, I wallow. It’s been a long struggle finding the balance. I also find a good chat with a person who is interesting, but not overstimulating, and genuine but not draining, is the perfect recovery. If this chat takes place while meandering through a quiet art gallery, even better.
Yes to all of this! And I have noticed a strange convergence of personal awesomeness with the name Amy. Just sayin’. 🙂
Your quiet art gallery makes me think about how I also prefer quiet environments in general. If I’m home alone, I’ll never put on the TV or music just for background noise. For that matter, I’m much more likely to produce music myself than listen to it. And one of my pet peeves is when the music at a party is on so loud (or there are other noise factors) that I can’t hear anyone talk.
The MBTI is basically crap at accurately describing people, the benefit is that it’s oversimplified and feel-good to the point people are willing to use it in public.
Personality traits on these kinds of tests show a normal distribution, meaning that most people are kind of average.
Now take a situation where most people are kind of average and try to segment them into two boxes. It means all those people in the middle get artificially pushed outwards. This is only avoided if the majority really is out in one direction (the US truly is a very extroverted nation, for example).
This gives the MBTI what’s called poor test-retest reliability (if you’re in the middle, which box you’re pushed into varies depending on how you’re feeling that day and so on).
Social scientists don’t use it. If they have to use a personality test like this they use the Big 5/Five Factor/OCEAN test. It has two key problems that keep it from being popular:
1. It uses numeric scores (1-5 IIRC), so it’s way harder to remember peoples’ results.
2. It’s not feel-good. When the psychologists checked their data for patterns, they found four MBTI-like factors and a fifth factor called “neuroticism”. Nobody wants to be labeled neurotic. Even the other scales have reasonable but somewhat value-judgementy names like “openness”.
I understand why people obsess about these things – categorize me relative to others! – but they’re what’s called “stranger personality” tests. They measure aspects of personality that could be most readily be noticed by a stranger after limited interaction, and don’t really predict peoples core values, approach to relationships, and all that stuff.
The tests that do measure those things with any reliability are not necessarily ones people want to publicize the results of. For example, how authoritarian are you? Anything that isn’t a feel-good test tends to get skewed results when people think the results might be shared.
If I were deeply invested about the MBTI test, you might have just burst my pretty little bubble, but happily I use it for general amusement purposes. Thanks for sharing your outlook on it.
I love the neuroticism factor! That’s awesome, and I’m sure almost everyone will have more than they want to admit. 🙂
You nailed it mate!!
All Myers-Briggs scores are numerical – but people don’t tend to use the numbers. The numbers matter though – at least in demonstrating a relative difference between people in a particular locale / age group. In the very least they’re better than saying people on one side of an arbitrary line are introverts, and those on the other side are extroverts . . .
And, yes, if your number isn’t pretty high on one side or the other, then it’s probably not a very important factor overall. But even the OCEAN test has an introvert/extrovert category; these are categories that human beings express, to others and in themselves – not just something that shows up on one test or another.
People are known to develop in their weaker attributes as they get older, such that their percentage of whatever (introversion vs. extroversion, intuitiveness vs. sensor-behaviour, etc.) balance out over the course of a lifetime.
All of which just goes to say that: While we all have some degree of introversion / extroversion, there really aren’t that many actual introverts or extroverts out there–just people with something of a tendency, one way or another, depending on a variety of factors.
Most dichotomies are in fact continuums – and therefore the dichotomies themselves are false.
I love exposing dichotomies as false, mostly because it reminds me so maybe next time it comes up, I can regulate my poor brain. 🙂
This is something that I’ve given a lot of thought to. Honestly, I don’t think there are any personality traits that are simple binary functions, like introvert/extrovert. They all exist on a scale of continuity, and there will almost always be contradictions and ambiguities.
Me? I’m definitely an ambivert. Solitude is like protein or starch — eliminate it from my diet and I will starve quickly. Social interaction is like manganese or folic acid — eliminate it from my diet and after a while I start getting weird and sickly.
I interact comfortably with one person, I can enjoy groups of three or four people, but once you get up to five? Either they’re an audience or I want to get the fuck out of the room.
(And it’s interesting to note that I’m not the only anti-social type who sees an audience as an entirely different type of animal than a social group.)
The label I’ve chosen is ‘anti-social extrovert.’
And I’ve got to say. If I was designing a stranger personality test, I’d be more interested in characteristics like, “Willingness to defend ignorance,” and “Relative mintiness,” than how observant or good with math someone is.
I don’t think I saw you once in Taos *without* at least five people around….
Also, I completely agree that an audience is a different kettle of fish all together.
If you design a personality test, I want to hear all about it because I’m sure it would be endearingly quirky. 🙂
[…] Introvert vs. Extrovert: A False Dichotomy? […]
[…] 10, 2011 by Amy Sundberg Since I wrote my essay on ambiversion last summer, I’ve been thinking about the introvert-extrovert continuum a great deal. Perhaps […]
[…] much in common with Amy, who I had the pleasure to meet at World Fantasy last year. Her posts on Ambiversion and the awesomeness of being an introvert kind of clued me in but her latest one about being less […]
[…] I remain comfortable while still keeping it fresh? This is an even more familiar problem to the ambivert, who often has to balance alone time with social time in some complex […]
[…] I recently took a couple of online personality tests (the Myers-Briggs and the IPIP-NEO), and my results have changed. I’m now coming out fairly firmly on the extroverted side of things instead of being almost exactly in the middle. […]
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