What is an ambivert? Characteristics of ambiversion as a personality

The term "ambivert" is used to name the personality trait that expresses characteristics of both introversion and extroversion, that is, it is a midpoint between the two.

To better understand the concept, we must understand introversion and extraversion not as independent categories. and separated, but as poles of the same dimension, giving the possibility that the subjects are located in this continuous. There is no one who is 100% at one of the extremes, but the usual thing is to present attributes, peculiarities, of both categories.

Ambiversion is considered to be the most functional trait, since it is what allows the subject to be flexible and show different modes of action and thus be able to adapt to the different situations that arise they present. To learn more about this way of being, in this article we will talk about ambiversion and ambiverted people, explaining the characteristics of this form of personality.

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What does it mean to be ambiverted?

Ambiversion is a personality trait, defining this way of being as a middle ground between extraversion and introversion. It is usual that when we ask about the personality of each one, we differentiate between introversion and extroversion as two independent categories, valuing them as a dichotomy, either you are one thing or you were the other. But really, as with many other personality traits, no one can fit 100% into a category.

To better understand the term we must contemplate the distinction introversion and extroversion as two poles of a continuum, that is, as a dimension, where each subject places us more or less close to one of the extremes, being able to show characteristics of Both. Thus, ambiversion refers to this middle point, to subjects who show equal traits of the two poles and that depending on the situation in which they find themselves or the person with whom interact may enhance one mode of behavior more than another.

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Beginning of the use of the term

The first to use the term ambivert was Edmund S. Conklin in 1923, making explicit something that was already obvious, that the vast majority of people did not fall completely into one of the two poles, introvert or extrovert. This author therefore proposed a new category, the ambiverts, defined as healthy, normal, with the ability to adapt and flexibility, who could act differently depending on the situation.

This new category was not very successful in the world of mental health, since it was another way of referring to subjects. normal, and neither showed interest as it was not a group of subjects to whom an intervention could be applied. Later, in years closer to the present, the use of the concept "ambithymia" gained more force. Even so, we must be aware that it does not imply the discovery of a new category, but the name given to the majority located in intermediate positions in the dimension extraversion-introversion.

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Characteristics of introversion and extraversion

Before addressing the concept of ambivert in more depth, it may be useful for your understanding to better understand which ones have the characteristic features of introversion and extroversion. The first author to study these two categories was the psychoanalyst Carl Jung, already stating that no one can be 100% at one extreme.

The introversion trait is linked to the ability to introspect, with the greatest interest and attention to one's inner world. They are subjects focused mainly on their own thoughts and emotions. For their part, individuals considered extroverted show more interest in learning about the outside world, in social relationships with other subjects.

Likewise, these defining characteristics of each one also make them differ or work better in some circumstances than in others. For example, introverts work better in the morning compared to extroverts, who work better at night; in addition, introverts prefer a quiet environment, without noise, to be able to concentrate better, and, on the other hand, extroverts will prefer a noisier environment, they work better with music.

Thus, nothing implies that one of the traits is better than the other; that is, being an introvert will not be better than being an extrovert, or vice versa. In the end, what will determine whether one way of being or another is better or not is the ability to adapt and the state of the subject in different situations and, given a given context, how they feel. Of course, ambiversion flows between the different behavior patterns, so many times these people have a more flexible way of behaving, thus showing more possibility of adaptation and therefore less discomfort.

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characteristics of ambiverts

Now that we have a better understanding of the main traits of introverts and extroverts, bearing in mind that ambiverts are the point or better said intermediate region of the dimension, it will be easy for us to deduce the characteristics of this trait of personality. Below we will mention the most common behaviors of these subjects, classifying them into different categories to make them easier to understand.

1. Social life

In the social sphere, as expected, we observe an intermediate behavior: they are individuals who like to hang out with their group of friends, but do not always feel like interacting; they are easy to maintain a pleasant conversation, feeling comfortable; have a diverse group of friends with people of different personalities; they are well considered by other people, they look for them as references; it is easy for them to connect and easily understand others, they have moments in which they perform the role of emitter, that is, they are the ones who speak the most, but on other occasions they prefer to listen.

2. Cognitive processes

At a cognitive level, they are flexible people, with the ability to adapt to different situations and events. They may show indecisiveness at times, torn between doing things calmly and thoughtfully or acting somewhat impulsively, but not extremely impulsively.

They may show difficulty defining themselves or expressing to their environment how they feel or are. They are considered by the individuals around them as wise people, they are often asked and their opinion is taken into account and they are capable of being productive in different environments and ways of working, both when the dynamic is individual or as a group. group.

3. on an emotional level

They show ease in finding the positive or good part of the situation, a fact that allows them to have fun in most circumstances. As we have already seen, they may have difficulty explaining to others how they feel, even sometimes they cannot even identify their internal state.

4. At the behavioral level

In this case we return to see characteristics of the two poles, so they will like to make more group or moved plans as partying, but they will also enjoy being alone or doing calmer activities such as reading or going for a drink with friends. In this way, orWe will observe periods of activity and others that are calmer, with the need for less constant stimulation.

To make it easier for you to understand each point of the dimensions or categories, let's give an example of the response or behavior that each one would do in the same situation. For an extrovert, an example of a good night out is going out with friends, meeting lots of people, talking to new people, and coming home late; an introvert, on the other hand, his best plan for the night is to have dinner at home with friends and watch a movie together or play a board game.

For his part, the ambivert will not be able to choose between the two previous plans, since there will be days when he prefers to stay quiet at home and others when he will need and want to party.

Are ambiverts very common?

Looking at the different characteristics that constitute the ambiversion trait, we see that the one that stands out the most is flexibility and adaptability in different social, behavioral, cognitive or emotional areas. This flexibility, this ability to flow, in the end is what allows us to lead a more functional life, achieving a better state of health.

Ambiversion is considered in some respects the best personality trait, as it shows the best of each pole, of introversion and extroversion, has the ability to act in one way or another as it suits him and allows him to adapt best.

As we have already pointed out before, everyone shows characteristics of both categories, in other words, we would all be ambiverts. Finally, we must keep in mind that personality traits are described as dimensions; for this reason it is not necessary to differentiate into categories or rigid groups. It is better to consider each case individually in order to assess what its characteristics are and to know what strategies action can be used to be more functional, this is the main utility and not the intention to seek classify us.

Thus, we consider that ambiversion is associated with the concept of normality in statistical terms, since it shows the most adaptive attributes and is presented with higher percentages in society. It is more important to understand the need to be flexible to achieve greater functionality than to use the term as such.

This greater tendency to show combined characteristics of the two terms is also perceived when we ask the subjects to describe themselves or place themselves at one of the extremes, Introvert extrovert; we see how the majority are not able to classify themselves only in one and will refer that they can vary according to the moment or the situation.