By FOONG KAH MEI
“Every personality is a spectrum that acts as a scale to measure extroversion and introversion,” said Taylor’s University Counselling and Psychological Services Centre Counsellor Evan Kok Choon Foong.
I am sure many are familiar with extroversion and introversion but did you know that another category exists for individuals who fall in the middle of the spectrum?
Many of us lean towards one way or the other but there are some of us who are quite balanced with these two traits.
“These middle ground people are the ambiverts,” Kok added.
Each personality has their own set of traits that sets them apart from one another.
Introverts listen carefully and think of the right words to say before speaking. They do not appreciate being pushed to meet new people and may have difficulties expressing themselves.
Extroverts recharge their energy by interacting with as many individuals as they can, ideally in a large group. They are able to express their thoughts freely but may sometimes come off as lacking of substance.
Ambiverts however possess characteristics that are able to balance out the weaknesses of these two extremes.
They are more intuitive than extroverts in knowing when their input is required, and more approachable than introverts in social situations.
These people are able to connect and communicate with ease as well as take the time to listen to what others have to say.
Kok added that ambiverts are the jack of all trades but master of none due of their flexibility in adapting to different environments. The way these people function in their daily lives is different in that they recharge their energy levels with a mixture of solitude and social interaction.
The downside of it is that it creates a disturbance within the ambiverts themselves. They feel conflicted that even though they may be categorised as either an introvert or an extrovert in a test, they don’t quite relate to the set of traits mentioned by the category that they belong to.
However, Kok believes that the human personality is not a clear black-and-white matter. It is a complex mechanism that cannot be measured with just a test to determine who you are.
Kok said we have to take into account that the human personality is affected by multiple factors. This includes different upbringing, the way you look at things and the words that are being said to you.
“We wear different hats in different situations,” he said.
The willingness to engage with another person can be situational.
A stressful setting can make even extreme extroverts uncomfortable. This aspect can vary a person’s personality from time to time.
It can be unfair to label someone as an introvert just because they are being quiet. There is a possibility that the person might be having a rough day and is not in the mood to talk to anyone.
Ambiversion is just one of many personality traits. Regardless of which tendency you exhibit more, we should highlight its strengths and apply the benefits. If we are able to embrace the differences between these personality traits, effective communication can be achieved easily.
“Every personality is a spectrum that acts as a scale to measure extroversion and introversion,” said Taylor’s University Counselling and Psychological Services Centre Counsellor Evan Kok Choon Foong.
I am sure many are familiar with extroversion and introversion but did you know that another category exists for individuals who fall in the middle of the spectrum?
Many of us lean towards one way or the other but there are some of us who are quite balanced with these two traits.
“These middle ground people are the ambiverts,” Kok added.
Each personality has their own set of traits that sets them apart from one another.
Introverts listen carefully and think of the right words to say before speaking. They do not appreciate being pushed to meet new people and may have difficulties expressing themselves.
Extroverts recharge their energy by interacting with as many individuals as they can, ideally in a large group. They are able to express their thoughts freely but may sometimes come off as lacking of substance.
Ambiverts however possess characteristics that are able to balance out the weaknesses of these two extremes.
They are more intuitive than extroverts in knowing when their input is required, and more approachable than introverts in social situations.
These people are able to connect and communicate with ease as well as take the time to listen to what others have to say.
Kok added that ambiverts are the jack of all trades but master of none due of their flexibility in adapting to different environments. The way these people function in their daily lives is different in that they recharge their energy levels with a mixture of solitude and social interaction.
The downside of it is that it creates a disturbance within the ambiverts themselves. They feel conflicted that even though they may be categorised as either an introvert or an extrovert in a test, they don’t quite relate to the set of traits mentioned by the category that they belong to.
However, Kok believes that the human personality is not a clear black-and-white matter. It is a complex mechanism that cannot be measured with just a test to determine who you are.
Kok said we have to take into account that the human personality is affected by multiple factors. This includes different upbringing, the way you look at things and the words that are being said to you.
“We wear different hats in different situations,” he said.
The willingness to engage with another person can be situational.
A stressful setting can make even extreme extroverts uncomfortable. This aspect can vary a person’s personality from time to time.
It can be unfair to label someone as an introvert just because they are being quiet. There is a possibility that the person might be having a rough day and is not in the mood to talk to anyone.
Ambiversion is just one of many personality traits. Regardless of which tendency you exhibit more, we should highlight its strengths and apply the benefits. If we are able to embrace the differences between these personality traits, effective communication can be achieved easily.