Neither Introvert Nor Extrovert? You Could Be An Ambivert
Not sure if you're an introvert or
extrovert? Welcome to the in-between
Picture yourself at a party. Are you an out and proud extrovert who's the life and soul of the room? Or are you a quiet introvert hiding in a corner and preparing to slip out the door as soon as possible?
The truth is, many of us don't fit either of those extremes but fall somewhere in the middle: introducing the ambivert.
These people love a big social gathering (as long as they can still have some quiet time), and are equally comfortable talking or listening. And if that sounds like you, you're definitely not alone.
"An ambivert is thought of as someone who has a mix of both extrovert and introvert characteristics in their personality," says Canoe Wynn, a researcher and PhD candidate at Monash University.
So why haven't we heard more about them? While we've known about introverts and extroverts for almost a century, ambiverts are the new lids on the block. "Introversion and extroversion are old concepts credited to the psychiatrist Carl Jung, while ambiversion is a relatively new term," Conor explains.
There's plenty of hot debate over whether ambiverts even exist, and you often won't find them in personality tests. But when it comes to whether ambiverts are real, Conor says it's a case of both yes and no.
"It's 'yes' to the extent that most people are neither extremely introverted nor extremely extroverted, being a balance of both;' he explains.
"And 'no' because ambiverts don't exist as a separate category-most of us are somewhere in the middle of the scale between extreme introversion and extreme extroversion?'
If you're starting to suspect this applies to you, Conor says you're in good company. "Generally speaking, over two-thirds of us are in the middle of the trait extroversion scale," he explains. There are free online tests that can help you decide how introverted or extroverted you are. "As a very rough guide, if you are quite reserved, self-contained or would rather someone else take the lead, then you are likely an introvert", says Conon "On the other hand, if you're outgoing, gregarious and like to call the shots, chances are you are an extrovert."
And while there are pluses and negatives to being either extroverted or introverted, those who sit in the middle may just have the best of both worlds.
"If you're a blend of both extrovert and introvert, chances are you'll find it easier to fit into more situations than if you're at one of the extremes," says Conor.
And there may even be career benefits. "One study showed that despite the stereotypes, salespeople who were ambiverts performed better than those who were high in extroversion, all other things being equal," Conor adds.
But no matter what your type, it's important to remember that we're not defined by one trait.
"There's more to behaviour than personality," says Conor.
"Behaviour is thought to be a combination of who you are, the situation you're in and the decisions you make. So someone who is an introvert but out with a group of old friends can he quite chatty and animated, whereas an extreme extrovert attending a funeral is likely to be withdrawn and subdued. Context has a big influence on behaviour."
Text: Bauer Syndication