“Introverts are antisocial.” “Extroverts are attention-seekers.” Sound familiar? These personality myths are everywhere — but are they true?
In reality, personality exists on a spectrum and rarely does one fit neatly into just one box. What looks like shyness might in fact just reflect a tendency of deep thinking or a need to process the world silently. What seems like confidence could be a carefully built social mask. And often, the traits we associate with being “too quiet” or “too loud” are misunderstood expressions of how a person interacts with the world and processes their energy.
Understanding the truth behind introversion and extraversion isn’t just about busting stereotypes — it helps us better connect with others and ourselves. So let’s unpack these traits and explore the introvert-ambivert-extrovert spectrum.
What is The Introvert - Ambivert - Extrovert Spectrum?
Carl Jung (1921) believed that the biggest difference in personality lies in where people focus their energy. He described extroverts as those who direct their energy outward, thriving in social settings, while introverts turn inward, drawing energy from their own thoughts and solitude. The term ambivert, first introduced by Edmund S. Conklin in 1923, describes someone who naturally switches between the two, depending on their mood, environment, and goals.
Pure introverts and extroverts are pretty rare, most of us lie somewhere in between and adapt our behaviour depending on our mood and surroundings.
Introversion, Extraversion and Ambiversion
Introversion is a personality trait where people are more tuned into their own thoughts and inner world. Introverts are usually seen as quiet and reflective, preferring alone time and deep thinking over constant socializing. They tend to form meaningful connections with a small, trusted circle, are less outwardly expressive, and don’t share personal details easily. Many introverts tend to find writing a more comfortable form of expression than speaking, especially in overstimulating environments. Research suggests that introverts may require solitude to recharge after extended social interaction (Cain, 2012), as their nervous systems respond differently to external stimulation compared to extroverts.
Introversion brings its own strengths — such as comfort in solitude, deep reflection, and the ability to work independently without constant external input. Studies have shown that these traits can align well with careers that demand creativity, sustained focus, and introspection — like writing, scientific research, music, and invention (Laney, 2002; Cain, 2012). Aditi from The Sky is Pink is a great illustration of quiet strength and emotional depth. While she isn’t explicitly labelled an introvert, her reflective nature, calm presence, and preference for meaningful one-on-one connections reflect many qualities often associated with introversion. Her character shows how introversion can be expressed in subtle, grounded ways — without being linked to other conditions like learning difficulties, which might otherwise blur the lines.
Some might suggest that Dr. Jehangir Khan from Dear Zindagi shows signs of introversion, especially through his calm, thoughtful, and emotionally intelligent demeanor. However, it’s also worth noting that these qualities may stem from his professional role as a therapist rather than his personality type. After all, the nature of his job demands patience, empathy, and emotional regulation—traits that are essential in therapy sessions, but not necessarily a window into who he is outside of them. But even when we observe these traits, it’s worth asking — how much of what we see is who a person is, and how much is what their role requires? This brings up an interesting question: are we sometimes mistaking someone's job-related behavior for their actual temperament?
Before we answer that, let’s see what exactly “temperament” means. Temperament is the natural, hardwired part of our personality. It’s the set of emotional and behavioral tendencies we’re born with and involves how we typically respond to the world around us. Think of it as our baseline wiring: some people are naturally more energetic and expressive, while others are more reserved and slower to warm up. These patterns show up early in life and often remain pretty stable over time. Unlike roles we step into—like being a therapist, a manager, or even a performer—temperament isn’t something we switch on and off. So, while Dr. Jehangir appears calm and introspective, it might just be a reflection of the space he’s created for his clients—a role that calls for stillness and neutrality. Outside that setting, he might be more animated, outgoing, or even playful. It’s a subtle but important difference: we’re not always seeing someone’s true temperament—sometimes, we’re just seeing them at work.
Still, when we are talking about introverts, it’s important to go beyond the stereotype. Yes, introverts may prefer solitude, enjoy deep one-on-one conversations over large gatherings, and need time alone to recharge. However, introverts can also struggle with teamwork and may not feel as naturally drawn to social situations as extroverts do. Still, does that mean introverts don’t like people? Absolutely not. It’s more about how they manage their energy and how they prefer to engage.
Extraversion is a personality trait where people get their energy and satisfaction from the world around them. Extroverts love socializing and tend to be outgoing, expressive, talkative, and confident. They feel their best when surrounded by people and enjoy big social events. Geet from Jab We Met is a well-loved character who captures many extroverted traits — expressive, emotionally open, and energized by connection. She thrives on interactions and embraces spontaneity with ease.
Extroversion certainly has its own set of strengths — ease in social settings, comfort with collaboration, and an ability to adapt quickly in group environments. These qualities can be useful in fields like entertainment, teaching, or politics, where connecting with others is a key part of the work. That being said, it’s important not to confuse sociability with superiority. Extroverts aren’t inherently “better with people” — they simply express that connection differently. And just like introverts, they face their own challenges too: difficulty being alone, overstimulation, or a tendency to rely on external validation. Every personality type brings both light and complexity. Take Kabir Mehra from Dil Dhadakne Do; a charming and charismatic businessman who knows how to navigate social circles effortlessly. His ability to engage with people, adapt to different situations, and maintain a strong public presence makes him a classic extrovert. But it’s not all smooth sailing. Extroverts can struggle with working alone or spending too much time by themselves. They may not be as naturally reflective as introverts and are often more affected by what others think of them. Since they tend to pick up on the emotions and opinions of those around them, they can also be more sensitive to criticism or negative feedback. Ever heard someone say, “Extroverts are always confident and carefree”? That’s another misconception, just like introverts, extroverts have emotional depths that often go unseen.
Ambiversion sits right in the middle of the introvert-extrovert spectrum, blending the best of both worlds. Ambiverts enjoy socializing and feel comfortable in groups, but they also appreciate their alone time and don’t mind stepping back from the crowd when needed. What makes them stand out is their adaptability, they can shift between being outgoing and introspective depending on the situation. Characters like Bunny from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Sameer from Dil Chahta Hai perfectly embody this balance. Bunny thrives in social circles, loves adventure, and is full of energy, but he also has moments where he seeks solitude and deep reflection. Similarly, Sameer is charming and expressive, but also shows vulnerability and reflection in private moments, making him a more balanced ambivert.
When it comes to work and daily life, ambiverts have an advantage. They can adjust to different environments, whether it’s a team setting or independent work, making things a little smoother for them compared to strict introverts or extroverts. Because of this flexibility, ambiversion is often seen as the most balanced and psychologically stable personality type.
In conclusion personality isn’t just split into three clear-cut types, it’s more of a sliding scale. Where someone lands on this scale depends on how they channel their energy. Libido, in a broader sense beyond just its link to desire, also refers to overall life energy. Introverts turn inward, extroverts outward, and ambiverts flow between both. But why does any of this matter? Because understanding these traits can reshape how we see ourselves and others. These labels aren’t boxes, they’re guides. They can help us choose the right environments, improve how we relate to people, and even challenge the stereotypes we carry. After all, being introverted doesn’t mean being antisocial, and being extroverted doesn’t mean you don’t think deeply.
So maybe the question isn’t — “What are you?” but rather, “What helps you thrive?”. Creating a safe space for each individual to unapologetically be themselves is what we should be aiming at.
References
Petric, D. (2022) The Introvert-Ambivert-Extrovert Spectrum. Open Journal of Medical Psychology, 11, 103-111.
doi: 10.4236/ojmp.2022.113008.
Houston, E. (2022) Introvert vs Extrovert: A Look at the Spectrum and Psychology. Positive Psychology.
https://positivepsychology.com/introversion-extroversion-spectrum/
Van Edwards, V. (2022) What Is an Ambivert? Science of People.
https://www.scienceofpeople.com/ambivert/
✍️ Written by: Nousheen Mujawar (First Year, ADT24SVSB0042)
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