Introverts and extroverts

There are certain types that present as more introverted yet type isn't as simple as this. There is a spectrum of introvert and extrovert and some may identify as more extreme and some may identify as more balanced or ambiverted. In the Enneagram or MBTI there are some exceptions where someone may be introverted or extroverted in another system.

In the Enneagram, the types are divided into introvert, extroverted, and ambivert. 4,5 and 9 are generally seen as more withdrawing and therefore more introvert. A type like 7 is seen as generally more extrovert or more unlikely to be introvert in other systems. The Enneagram classifies introversion different to the MBTI so there is some overlap between them.

The MBTI classifies introversion/extroversion according to a spectrum. Someone is either introverted or extrovert, and may test as somewhere on the spectrum between introversion or extroversion. A 96 percentile would be considered extremely introverted whereas a 56 percentile would be considered more on the ambiverted side.

Both the MBTI and the Enneagram show where someone might need to expand an aspect of their personality. The Enneagram shows how someone can improve by moving to type 1 or 2 which are more dynamic energies. The MBTI shows where someone's strengths are yet also where they can expand or understand more of in themselves.

Introversion and extroversion could also be considered personality types in themselves, and there are other systems exploring the introverted and extroverted traits. One of these is the big five. Often in personality styles it is understand that one will lean more towards one than the other, so the overlap between systems comes into play again here.

There is some arguments over what constitutes extroversion and introversion, or differences in how they are defined according to different systems. The traits of each are fairly easily to define in a general sense - introverted are internal and prefer their own company, recharge by themselves, while extroverts prefer the company of others and present as more enthusiastic. As an introvert can some present as enthusiastic yet recharges by themselves, this allows for some freedom for how introversion and extroversion can be defined.

The fluidity within the systems is interesting to explore. The MBTI has general correlations to Enneagram types, yet there is quite a lot of variation within this spectrum and also within other systems. The MBTI and Enneagram are both personality systems which have quite a lot not in common. Their similarities are not that strong despite being personaity systems, as they classify introversion and extroverson rather different.

Introverts and extroverts can exist in different spectrums and in different varieties. Some identify more clearly as introvert and extrovert. It can be useful to analyse the nature of introversion and extroversion. Generally an introvert is seen as someone who keeps to themselves and recharges on their own while an extrovert is seen as someone who prefers the company of others and may have a more expansive energy.

They are different ways of defining introversion and extroversion - yet it usually fairly apparent whether someone fits into either general category. Some people may fit into one or the other in a more obvious way. One can understand introversion and extroversion by analysing the MBTI and the Enneagram.

Introversion and extroversion can be defined differently according to different system yet they both have fairly clear general definitions. Exploring these areas in more depth shows how there is some difference and some overlap.