Are You Extroverted or Introverted?

Updated on November 27, 2011
E.D. asks from Olympia, WA
23 answers

Are you an extrovert or an introvert? What helps you to know which you are?

Me myself? I'm not sure - can't figure it out!!

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So What Happened?

Yah Mary, that's my understanding too. I don't know how I recharge. I *love* talking with folks and wouldn't describe myself as shy (probably quite the opposite), but I'm not sure if I feel energized from time around people or time alone.

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

From what I understand about the difference (without looking it up and writing a tome), an extrovert thrives on being with other people - it feeds their souls, so to speak. An introvert charges up their batteries after being around other people by being alone. Basically, alone time is a refuge.

I think that I am in the middle (ambivert - did I spell that right?) mostly on the side of extrovert. I am not close to being an introvert. I love being with and talking to my friends!

Dawn

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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I'm an introvert. I'm not timid (or not as much as I used to be), but I recharge my batteries best when I can be alone. My understanding is that extroverts recharge their batteries best by getting together with other people!

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Ephie:

I am a little of both. It all depends upon the situation. Most people have both characteristics in them...but tend to lean one way or the other.

There times when I can be an introvert and stand back and watch what's going on - taking it all in - and there are times when I'm in the thick of it. I am mostly an extrovert - where I can assert myself and be social. I can also relish my time alone with no social communications...reading, thinking, etc.

I'm sure you are a little of both. With how you have grown over the last year - I would say you are more of an extrovert now.

I find that I can talk to anyone - I'm not shy - surprised?! :)

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E.B.

answers from Seattle on

I am an introvert, that is rapidly changing into an Extrovert.

I have always been one to have no problem speaking my mind in a direct conversation. I have never been the type to START that conversation, though.

I recent weeks I have had to learn how to manage my time evenly with my Family and Occupation. I have learned how to be authoritative and a Leader without being a control freak(which I tend to be naturally).

Giving up caring what others think and feel about me has also been a major help. Understanding that people will not always agree with my views, it is important to have people understand we are allowed to be different, without needing to be negative of snarky.

Do I like being an Extrovert in an introverts body?? Well, no. But it is something I have to push myself through. Realizing the uncomfortable feeling will eventually go away. I have to learn how to speak my mind with Passion, but without insult.

I also think it depends on the situation. If you are doing something you are more comfortable with, you are more likely to have an extroverted personality. Knowing that with new events or things, you will start out introverted, until you are comfortable in that situation. Allowing yourself time, will help you spread your wings with new things, a bit easier.

Good question:) I will be feeling like a big introvert tomorrow when we go to Olympia. Even though I am going with a group of Local Occupiers, It is still going to be an overwhelming event:) One I am looking forward to greatly, because it is the next step to taking our demands to BIG Washington!

Sweet mama have a great day!

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R.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Extro - 80%, intro - 10%, 10% some other weird social habit.

I like people, but need down time in my own head. But here's why I really answered this post -- the strangest thing happened in my dream this morning, someone asked me the name of someone else, and I answered (in my dream) "Ephie!!" Where the heck did that come from?!

When I start dreaming in Mamapedia, I know I need to take a break from this site.

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

I'm both an extrovert and and introvert. I learned this by taking Meyer-Briggs test. You can get a book and the test at the book store or check it out from the library.

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K.L.

answers from Sacramento on

I am a social butterfly! I make friends everywhere, am happy TJ lucky, super outgoing in almost all situations. My firstborn is just like me :-)

My husband and second son are serious, quiet, observant men. It's so funny how my baby and husband get the same furrowed brow when they are studying people. They both are quiet and slow to open up to people, but once they feel comfortable, they blossom and are amazingly bubbly and fun :-)

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★.O.

answers from Tampa on

90% Extroverted, 10% introverted.

Husband is 40% extroverted and 60% introverted.

Extroverted - I am able to go up to anyone anywhere and strike up a conversation. I make friends easily tho keeping them (as in going out together, calling on the phone, etc - keeping an emotional/mental/political connection is easy) is a hard effort for me. I'm effusive with how I am feeling, generally it's hard to NOT know how I"m feeling.

Introverted... I LOVE to read and go online to chat and read. I'd prefer to stay home or inside with friends and family than to go out with friends and family.

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H.W.

answers from Portland on

I'm an introvert who can masquerade as an extrovert for short periods of time. I love being alone (crave it!) and I like hanging out with friends in small groups (four is perfect) for an afternoon. That's pretty much my limit. Larger groups are harder and I always bow out of my mom's group's beach weekend retreats; bless them, though, they keep inviting me and one has jokingly suggested they will throw me in the trunk and make me come. :)

In the end, what fuels me up is a cup of good tea and a book...truly...an afternoon of that and I can handle just about anything. I have a handful of close friendships, but they are very deep friendships. (This is one of the signs that one might be an introvert.)

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B..

answers from Dallas on

Introvert. I do like people. When I'm around them, I enjoy it. However, I mostly LOVE being alone and in quiet.

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I have a very easy time approaching people and can talk to anyone. Soooo.....I guess more extrovert. BUT there are a lot of people I would rather avoid completely! LOL

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E.B.

answers from Beaumont on

I'm both, just depends on my mood.

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

The classic definition is "where do you get your energy from?".

I'm a classic introvert. I NEED time to myself. I just do. Now, I also happen to be outgoing, gregarious, high spirited, love people, talk to anyone... but that's purely because I'M NOT SHY. Shyness and introverted CAN go hand in hand, but don't necessarilly. Just like that shy "wallflower" constantly on the edge of the crowd, wanting to join in more than anything ISN'T introverted. They're a shy extrovert.

My son is a raging extrovert. He NEEDS to be around people. He starts going a little bonkers (tired, unhappy, cranky) when he's by himself too much. It took until AGE EIGHT before he could "play by himself" for 15 minutes. Even then... that was maybe once a day. Every 5 minutes popping in to "show you something funny/cool/interesting" doesn't count. When he is at his MOST calm/ relaxed/ happy is when he's surrounded by people. I predict he'll be a frat boy. And I rather strongly suspect that out of the two carreers I can really see him going for (cop or journalst) he'll pick cop. He NEEDS to be with other people, as much as possible, in order to be happy. He's the kid who, instaneously is "Mr. Popular". He likes (nearly) everyone, is really interested in what they have to say, think, are doing (and also if they're doing it "right", hence my suspicion of journalism or law... both are the two fields intent on whether other people are doing the 'right' thing). He's an extrovert AND outgoing.

For poor introverted little old me, he's fairly exhausting.

Most people are introverted. They LIKE being around other people, but they want their own space. ((Just like most people are followers)). True extroverts, and true leaders (my son is NOT a leader, the two don't necessarilly go hand in hand, either) are reeeeally rare statistically speaking.

Outgoing folks, otoh, whether introverted or extroverted are about 50/50 with shy folks whether the shy ones are introverted or extroverted.

Wheeee.... I got to put my behavioral psych to good use! (so rare!)

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G.T.

answers from Redding on

I'd definitely say I'm a blend. Figure it like this, it's a spectrum, at one end a person doesnt want to talk to anyone and is very shy, and the other end you cant get a person to stop talking and sharing their opinions.
I like being safely tucked in the middle ;)

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

I have taken several on line tests for personality type. I am usually INTP but some times INTS (oops looks like I cannot find the S perhaps it was J for judging ). Search for free Meyers Briggs Test and see what you can find out. If I remember its about 70 multiple choice questions. Its been a few years.

The INTP stands for Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Perceiving. Find out what you are its fun. Then find out what your husband is (if you have one) and see if your a "match" no worries if your not its just a test.

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T.M.

answers from Tampa on

I used to be more extroverted as a teenager and in college. However, my DH is extremely introverted. Consequently, after being married to him for 13 years, I find myself quite introverted now. Big crowds of people tend to make me feel uneasy. I no longer make friends easily. However, I am quite outgoing at work. I tend to work very well with most personalities. However, those are surficial friendships. There really is no one besides my DH that I could call at 2 a.m.....

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A.S.

answers from Iowa City on

I'm an introvert. I like my me time and sometimes need to be alone.

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J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

The experts have labeled me an extrovert. I am always confident and outgoing yet perfectly happy left alone.

One huge misconception about extroverts is they are only about social situations. The easiest way to tell is in social situations are you comfortable?

I had to l look at Mary`s answer. Extroverts do not recharge in social situations, we are human, we have the same level of energy as anyone else

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M.T.

answers from Nashville on

You are an introvert if you process things and information internally. You are an extrovert if you verbalize your thoughts.

It is different from being sociable, selfish, or shy.

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✿.*.

answers from Los Angeles on

I am mostly an extrovert. I am usually the one that breaks the ice in a room that everyone is just looking around at each other in :) However, I definitely have my moments where I don't feel like being social or chit chatting.

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N.W.

answers from Eugene on

I'm in the middle. I need time alone and time with people to feel happy and balanced.

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K.L.

answers from Lafayette on

more and more of an introverrt...wish I wasn't...but in the past 3 years I have lost my job after 17 yrs (new boss, very ugly), moved twice, started a new job, and we are having a very bad time with a new business partner for dh...seems like the more I get hit broadside, the less I feel like putting myself out there.

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P.D.

answers from Detroit on

Slightly expressed introvert. I can talk with anyone. However, there can be times where I'm reserved at first. I'm a great public speaker and salesperson. We love to get out, but I NEED that alone/down time to recharge.

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