Personality is described as the collection of stable qualities that form a person’s character or identity. It involves one’s behaviours, emotional patterns, and thoughts. Your personality traits make you unique and determine how you interact with your environment and others around you. Everyone knows about introversion vs. extraversion, but what is an ambivert?
Introvert vs. Extrovert
If you’ve ever done a personality quiz, you are most likely familiar with the terms introvert and extrovert. Both of which are host to a group of distinguishable traits that are opposite from one another.
Here’s a closer look at the difference between an introvert and an extrovert:
Introvert Personality
- Self-reflective
- Self-aware
- Passive
- Quiet
- Calm
- Shy
- Reserved
- Good listeners
- Less likely to be a leader
- May be awkward
- Enjoys being alone
- Needs to rest after being in a crowd of people
- Has a close-knit group of friends
- Takes time before making any decision
Extrovert Personality
- Talkative
- Outgoing
- Assertive
- Enjoys being sociable
- Prefers not to be alone
- Thrives in a group setting
- Are friends with many different types of people
- Prefers to talk through any problems head-on
- Born leaders
- Are not afraid to take risks
- Very flexible when they need to be
- Action-oriented
- Great communicators
While most people identify with one of these two personality dimensions, there is also a third grouping. This third group is called the ambivert that many people are not aware of.
What is an Ambivert?
An ambivert has personality traits that belong to both introverts and extroverts, depending on the type of environment they are in. This is why ambiverts can quickly adapt to a wider range of scenarios than introverts or extroverts can.
Here is a closer look at some of the ambivert’s personality traits:
- Can perform tasks competently and efficiently while in a group setting or when they are alone. They do not have a preference for either one and are happy either way.
- Enjoys silence but is also very friendly when they are around other people. Yet, they can get tired after being around other people for too long.
- Can regulate their behaviour to match the individuals or social setting they are in.
- Someone who is highly empathetic towards other people.
- Sometimes they find it difficult to trust other people, and sometimes they do not.
- They can small talk with other people but will get bored after a while.
- A go-getter when they want to be, but also enjoys relaxing.
- Good conversationalists at times, but also spends time in their inner thoughts.
- An ambivert may be indecisive at times, depending on the situation at hand.
The Big Five Personality Traits Test
The concepts of introversion and extraversion originate from the Big Five Personality Traits Theory developed in 1949 by D.W. Fiske and was further developed by psychologists in the late 1960s, well into the 1980s. Initially, scientists and psychologists wanted to understand further how personality develops and whether it can be related to factors of nature or nurture.
Today, the personality test is used as a tool for individuals to discover more about themselves. It also provides insight into their strengths and weaknesses. This can help individuals find the perfect employment position when searching for a career.
How Are Personality Traits Measured?
The Big Five Personality Traits Test is taken in the form of a questionnaire that has multiple-choice questions. Users are required to answer each question on a scale of strongly agree to strongly disagree. These answers determine what personality type they have.
Is the Big Five Personality Traits Test Reliable?
The Big 5 Personality Traits Test is reliable in many respects of determining an individual’s personality. But there are some cons such as:
- There are 300 questions total, spanning five dimensions of personality, which can take quite a while to complete.
- It may not provide you with an all-encompassing look at your personality, as extroversion is much more complex than the test measures.
The DISC Personality Test
If you’re looking for a more in-depth evaluation of your personality, the DISC Personality Test is a valuable solution. With only 25 total questions, the personality test allows you to discover your strengths and weaknesses. Rather than five dimensions, this test is based on a blend of four dimensions of personality:
- Dominant
- Inspiring
- Supportive
- Conscientious
Rather than label individuals based on five personality groups, the DISC recognizes that individuals are made up of a blend of traits from each of the four quadrants above. With this information, you can learn how to use your qualities to effectively get along with other individuals based on your unique personality and narrow down what job positions may be suitable for you.
Professional Leadership Institute (PLI) is an educational website providing professionals from all types of businesses with practical education in human resources and leadership. To keep evolving your leadership toolkit, additional PLI resources below will be useful:
