Many people self-identify as either an introvert or an extrovert, swearing by these labels.
The people who tend to consistently fall toward the middle of the spectrum are called ambiverts.
Here’s what we know about ambivert psychology and what are considered ambivert traits.
What is an ambivert?
“Almost all of us are ambiverts to some degree,” psychotherapistKen Page, LCSW, tells mbg.
You need your “me time” just as much as social time.
Personalities change all the time.
It’s all good stuff to you!
You prefer a balance of both solo and group work.
Ambiverts are all about balance.
Both too much alone time and too much time with others can feel draining.
Importantly, ambiversion is not the same as “anything goes.”
While ambiverts are flexible, they’re not without needs.
Often that means that lack of enough alone timeorlack of enough quality time with others can feel exhausting.
Again, the balance is the key.
You appreciate good conversation but also value comfortable silence.
Extroverts tend to be talkers.
Introverts tend to be listeners.
Ambiverts can play both roles easily.
Small talk doesn’t bother you, though you also love deep conversations.
They tend to prefer getting way deeper, havinglong and introspective conversations.
You have a lot of friends and a handful of close friends.
Where ambiverts thrive.
Similarly, ambiverts make good therapists because you do a lot of listening but also interacting and talking."
Socially, ambiverts can thrive both in social tweaks and by themselves.
It will vary greatly depending on any given day and what you’re in the mood for.
The pros and cons of ambiversion.
Ambiverts are very flexible and adaptable to different situations and people.
However, this flexibility can make it difficult to pinpoint what they might want or need.
This is a common occurrence for ambiverts, as their mood and desires can and will change.
“It’s a matter of following our feelings in a more subtle way,” he explains.
