ambiversion

Ambiversion is the state or quality of being an ambivert—someone said to have a personality type that is in between that of an introvert (shy and reserved) and an extrovert (outgoing).

Ambiversion is often contrasted with the terms introversion and extroversion in the study, classification, and popular discussion of personality types.

Example: Ambiversion usually means that you love going out with friends but sometimes would just rather stay home and have some alone time.

The first records of the words ambivert and ambiversion come from around the 1920s. The root of both words is vert, from the Latin vertere, meaning “to turn.” So, introverts turn inward. Extroverts turn outward. And ambiverts can turn both ways: the prefix ambi- means “both.” You’ve seen it in ambidextrous (“able to use both hands”) and ambiguous (“having several possible meanings”).

Most theories about personality types agree that a person usually has some elements of introversion and some elements of extroversion. However, many of these theories state that one of those tends to be stronger. Ambiversion, though, implies that a person can act or feel differently at different times, without being primarily outgoing or primarily reserved.

Due to the popularity of personality tests and discussion about personality types, you’ll see ambiversion frequently used in popular psychology articles, though perhaps less commonly than introvert and extrovert. But that doesn’t mean ambiverts aren’t common.

What are some other forms of ambiversion?

• ambivert (noun)
• ambiversive (adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with ambiversion? 

• introversion
• extroversion
• ambidextrous
• ambiguous
• ambivalent

What are some words that often get used in discussing ambiversion?

• personality
• trait
• outgoing
• reserved
• psychology

Many people use ambiversion when discussing how they sometimes like to socialize and sometimes would rather keep to themselves. Sound familiar?

Here are a few ways to embrace your ambiversion in an introvert/extrovert world. https://t.co/vkSgazAjR3

— Fast Co. Work Life (@FastCoWorkLife) October 3, 2017

I wish MB allowed for Ambiversion, because I’m 100000% ANFJ! Since my energy and learning preferences tend toward introversion, I’m an I, but it depends what day I take the test. 🙂

— Raina Telgemeier (@goraina) July 16, 2019

had a MBTI personality test back then and mine was INTJ, now it’s ENTJ lol I guess ambiversion it is

— 🍷 (@chianti__) May 27, 2020

Do you think you display traits of ambiversion? If so, explain why. If not, explain which personality type you think most applies to you.