Do you enjoy hanging out in crowds, or do you prefer to be alone? Maybe you like both depending on the day and your mood.
According to psychoanalyst Carl Jung, there are two extremes on the spectrum of personalities: extroverts and introverts.
Extroverts tend to feel at home in social situations. They tend to be outgoing and talkative. People often describe them as friendly and easygoing. If you’re an extrovert, you tend to:
- be willing to take risks and try new things
- feel energized when interacting with others
- find it draining to be alone
- be enthusiastic about social events and gatherings
- speak up in crowds or group settings
- make friends easily
But contrary to stereotypes that extroverts are loud and overbearing, they still enjoy their alone time, too.
Similarly, introverts don’t always want to be alone. Yes, they may prefer their solitude, but they also enjoy social interactions, too. If you’re an introvert, you may:
- prefer intimate gatherings with a small group of close friends
- feel recharged after spending time alone
- avoid conflict when possible
- listen to and observe others closely
- consider all decisions carefully before acting
Jung believed that most people fall somewhere in between these two extremes. If you have qualities of both an introvert and an extrovert, you may be an ambivert.
If you’re an ambivert, you may:
- feel comfortable spending time in social situations and alone
- be more cautious when trying new things and taking risks
- adapt and problem solve easily
- be either an introvert or extrovert depending on the situation
Whether you’re the social butterfly, the wallflower, or fall somewhere in between, it’s OK to be who you are. Who you are is a little more complex than whether you can be classified as an introvert or extrovert.
Our personalities can depend on several factors — from our culture and background to our environment.
Understanding the main characteristics though can be helpful to know more about how you interact with others, handle stress, approach decision making, and handle conflict.
This brief, time-saving questionnaire is intended for use by anyone who’s ever thought about whether they’re more outgoing, shy, or fall somewhere in between.
Your score will help you determine whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert.
You will not receive a mental health diagnosis by taking this test. It’s a tool that can help you better understand how you interact with others, approach decision making, and adapt to different social situations.
Remember that who you are is more complex than whether you’re an introvert or extrovert.
Our personalities are a combination of emotions, thoughts, and experiences. They can be influenced by several factors such as our culture, environment, and background.
Experts have tried to classify and understand the distinctive qualities that make up our personalities for decades, so it’s can’t be defined or explained by a simple test.
But this test can help you understand more about how you interact with the world around you.
If you’re concerned or want to know more about your personality, consider speaking with a mental health professional.