ambiverts

[low_delta]

I've always considered myself an introvert, but noticed in recent years, that I do like spending time with people. It just requires energy. So here's the article about people who are right in the middle, on the line between introversion and extroversion. I wondered where on the continuum I fall. I was guessing about 60 to 75% introversion, but this (not very in-depth) article lists a bunch traits in the middle ground that I seem to have nailed.

http://diplateevo.com/2013/06/on-ambiverts-why-distinguishing-between-extroverts-and-introverts-is-inadequate/

Comments

[cynnerth.livejournal.com]

Interesting! You're the one who first wanted these big parties we throw every other year. After the first one, I said it was fun but I never wanted to do it again. But we did. And I'm getting used to the idea and finding my place in it. It feels like you have more extrovert qualities than I do. You belong to a couple of social groups. I see my friends one on one.

And your introverted qualities are just as strong. You worried about having enough alone time when we started living together. That was the big indicator to me that you were an introvert like me.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

But the parties are exhausting. That's why I've always felt I was an introvert.

Social groups...
Cream City: have a little conversation, and move on to take more pictures.
Drammit: that's tiring - no, maybe that's the whisky. And the fact that I'm presenting. I'm not always that social with those guys, either.
Gaming: Not tiring, but I know those people well, and we're gaming.
SAS: very social, not very tiring? I'm not sure about that one.

Maybe over the years, I've learned to be social enough, that it doesn't take as much energy.

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

There's a lot of focus on the introvert-extrovert stuff lately. Maybe too much. People are what they are and I'm not sure a label is going to make much difference. Most people are a mixture of both aspects in one way or another. As for energy, I agree with you there. But energy figures in lots of things as well...not just in relating to others. You need energy to work, to garden, to walk but maybe you're referring to mental energy?

Just playing devil's advocate here.
;)
And for what it's worth...we like you two just as you are.
:)

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I've seen a lot of recent focus on it, too. It's mostly about understanding the introvert. That's a good thing. Even introverts don't necessarily understand it, especialy due to there being a continuum.

Mental energy is the same energy. Or if it's not, we use physical energy when interacting with people. At the end of our big party, when we're sitting around the table with some wine, I'm exhausted. Eight hours of walking around, talking with people? I'm dead on my feet.

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

That's my point. I'm not sure understanding any of it will change anything. So let's all be what we are.

I'm be just as exhausted after 8 hours of being a hostess! That's just plain exhausting for anybody.

But it sure is worth it to be able to sit at the kitchen table with wine afterward.
;)

[daphnep.livejournal.com]

That's totally me.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I wonder how broadly, along the continuum, those descriptions fit. Like, a 75% introvert would still defend his social time, right?

[daphnep.livejournal.com]

True--the bell curve probably puts most people near the center of the spectrum, or only slightly to one side or the other. Which makes it all one of those "Surprise! You're human!" generalizations.

So this would make good fortune-cookie material. "How did you know?" people will gasp, with astonishment.

[promiseoftin.livejournal.com]

Ambivert! I am SO that. Glad there's finally a word for it! :D

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Apparently the remedy for overly specific labels is more labels. ;-)

[ravenfeather.livejournal.com]

*snort!*

[serendipity.livejournal.com]

I think that if you like socializing but tend to find too much of it exhausting, you're probably more of an introvert than an extrovert. If you tend to find socializing energizing, you're more of an extrovert. I've always envied those who are somewhat balanced on this scale, and guess that ambivert is as good a word as any for them (you?).

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Agreed.

I'm definitely on the introvert side of the scale. I'm just not sure how far. Not that it matters much.

[ravenfeather.livejournal.com]

Huh... And I say this without having read the linked article. I don't know you other than what you choose to make public, but introvert would not be a term I would apply to your projected online personality. You RARELY stay still/home/isolated it seems.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Well that's the thing about intro/extroversion. People think extroverts love being around people, and introverts like being alone. That's not how it's defined. Introverts are drained of energy by being around people, while extroverts are recharged by it.

I do go out a lot, but it's not always with people. Sometimes, it's just Cyn and me, going for a walk, or going to a concert. Sometimes it's me and a friend. That's low impact. A few things I mentioned above, aren't that bad, like gaming and photography groups. Though they're with people, there's an activity going on, that mitigates the interactions.

But also, I am perfectly happy on my own. Happier than I am with people, often. It kinda depends on the people. And you know what else? Even the big parties I host, I do it more because I like to see people having a good time, than for the good time I have myself. Because it is so much work.

And what seems to put me in the middle ground, or ambiversion, is that I like being around people - it just takes a lot out of me, if I'm not careful. It's an energy drain. A fun one.

[ravenfeather.livejournal.com]

Makes sense. I need to read the article. I only find "parties" or gatherings of people draining if I have to do it at my space, but I do like to see folks having a good time. Actually I like to feed people more than anything else.

I have a problem with large numbers of people - sporting events, concerts and even large movie theaters or restaurants just irritate me, but small groups of folks I like.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Large groups of people are irrelevent to me, wrt inro/extroversion. I don't interact with crowds. I'm just in the middle of them. And I can be alone there just fine.

Large groups also don't bother me in general. As long as they're well behaved. I know people who get freaked out in crowds, and I don't get that, except as pure phobia.

[ravenfeather.livejournal.com]

I am not sure my reaction goes as far as phobia - it is more like there are too many people breathing the same air as I am. *grin*

That is a neat trick, being able to not interact to crowds, or anything really. I would like the ability to turn that off myself.

[banana.livejournal.com]

Thanks you. Now I know I'm an ambivert.

[kateyleigh.livejournal.com]

This is great. I've taken the Myers Brigg at different points of my life. I'm almost always an *STP Sometimes a little more introverted sometimes more extroverted. Like you, I never seemed to identify either way ~ in fact on the scale I've always landed about 46/54 within a point or two one way or the other. Close, anyway, never quite fitting ether way. This, though, really made sense. Thanks!

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

There's so much talk about introverts and extroverts, that they never really mention the middle ground.