The last of the four preference categories is the one that involves our preferences around how we interact with people in the world. There are those who tend to prefer quiet time to themselves, seek one on one interactions when around others, think things through in their head before speaking and recharge their batteries in quiet solitude. Let’s refer them as Introverted (or “I”). Then there are those who tend to prefer to be with others, seek group interaction, think things through “out loud” in conversation with others and recharge their batteries in the company of others. Let’s refer them as Extroverted (or “E”).
When it comes to relationships, Extroverts tend to be more congenial, easily connecting with other people. They also tend to maintain a broad base of acquaintances and happily add new people into their orbit. Whereas Introverts tend to be more reserved and focus their interactions with a smaller set of individuals they know well.
Extroverts also tend to be more forthright in communication and more freely share their feelings and thoughts making them easier to get to know. Alternatively, Introverts tend to be more private and selective around what personal information they share and with whom they share it which can make them harder to get to know. They are more inclined to process their feelings internally and at length which can have the effect of further distancing themselves from others.
Extroverts also tend to be more enthusiastic, take enjoyment from an energetic exchange and happily find themselves at the center of attention at times. Whereas, Introverts tend to be quieter, calmer and lower key.
Of the four preference categories, this is the one where people are most likely and can most easily vacillate between being Introverted or Extroverted in some or all of the ways outlined above. Because of this they have their own third designation: Ambivert (or “A”). Ambiverts will embrace some or all introverted tendencies at some times and in some situations and will then embrace some or all extroverted tendencies at other times and in other situations. This vacillation could be driven by things like relative energy levels, mood, emotional state and the complexity of our human needs. However, even Ambiverts will have a core preference for how they spend their time (alone or with others), how they interact (one-on-one or in groups), how they think things through (in their head or in conversation) and how they recharge their batteries (alone or with others).