@chriscoyier I read your article about intro/extroverts. Have you heard of ambiverts? articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-01-28/nat… Majority of us are ambiverts.
— Andrew Richardson (@AndrewR_Design) April 9, 2013
None of the books I’ve read on introversion seem to use this word. I suspect it is because the study of personality and temperament is complicated. Of course all of this is on a sliding scale. I might be slightly more introverted than you, who are more introverted than you sister. But your sister might be more shy and you might be more outwardly emotional.
The term “ambivert” seems like a cop-out term for “somewhere in the middle” which everybody is. It might be harmful in that people will learn it and think “I’m that!” trying to pinpoint themselves rather than understand the spectrum.
It could seem that way but I think the term ambivert is much easier to identify with since most of us do not feel like we are fully introverted or extroverted.
I think it’s fine to identify as an ambivert as long as you don’t use it as an excuse for destructive behavior (Same as with introversion and extroversion). As Daniel Pink covers in his book if you are too far on one side or the other it can actually detract from your ability to sell yourself (Which is essential in todays world no matter what field you are in).
To me it’s more of a question of “Okay I’m “X” personality type, how can I use that knowledge to make myself more valuable while not compromising who I am?”.
Thanks for the thoughts Chris!
I agree with Chris. Understanding the spectrum is key to better communicating & self-actualization. Everyone is both extroverted and introverted, however we tend to favor one over the other. As individuals mature they learn how to balance them and perhaps shift in the spectrum too. The same goes for the rest of the Briggs Meyers and Jung types. Our media and society embraces extroverts and tends to portray introverts in a negative light, naturally people tend to perceive themselves as more extroverted then they really are. I am not saying that “ambiverts” dont exist, but would rather say that they are just very mature and self-actualized individuals.
Hi, I just accidentally came upon your page (from your WordPress how-tos), and thought I would add my two cents here. :) I’m an extravert … but I act very introverted a lot!! When I am plaguing friends with the MBTI test and they are torn between two choices, I like to ask them, “which one are you 51% of the time?” Because really, 51% is a majority and that’s all you need to swing you from one to the other. But everyone uses each function, its just about when and where and how much you use each one. Sometimes I feel more E, sometimes more I. Interesting also is the breakdown of cognitive functions … my iNtuition is E, but my Thinking is I, so I tend to process, reflect, organize my thoughts, and get collected when I’m alone. Without sufficient time alone, I become disorganized, lose track of my goals and true motivations, and tend to bounce from shiny thing to shiny thing.