Introverts and extroverts
Am I an introvert or an extrovert? 8 questions to ask yourself
3 min read
The short answer: the clearest sign is where your energy comes from. If time with people tends to charge you up, you lean extrovert. If it tends to tire you out and you recharge alone, you lean introvert. If it depends a lot on the day, you are probably an ambivert, in the middle, like most people.
The eight questions below help you think it through. Answer them for your usual self, not your best or worst day.
1. How do you feel after a big social event?
Energized and wanting more points to extroversion. Pleasantly tired and ready for a quiet evening points to introversion. "It depends who was there" is a classic middle answer.
2. How do you prefer to spend a free evening?
Out with friends, at an event or somewhere lively leans extrovert. At home with a book, a show or one close friend leans introvert.
3. Do you think out loud or think first?
Extroverts often work out what they think by talking. Introverts usually prefer to think it through, then speak. Neither is better; they just make meetings feel very different.
4. How do you feel about meeting new people?
If striking up conversations with strangers comes easily and feels fun, that is extroverted friendliness. If you warm up slowly and prefer to get to know people over time, that leans introvert.
5. Do you like to take the lead?
Taking charge in groups is part of extraversion, called assertiveness. But it is only one part. Plenty of sociable people dislike leading, and some introverts are confident leaders.
6. How fast do you like to live?
A packed calendar and always being on the go is typical of extroverts. A calmer pace with room to breathe is more common in introverts.
7. Do you seek out excitement?
Loud places, adventure and trying new thrills appeal more to extroverts. Introverts tend to prefer calmer surroundings and quieter pleasures.
8. How often do you feel bubbly and full of fun?
Frequent bursts of enthusiasm and laughter are part of extraversion too. A more even, low-key mood leans introvert.
Adding it up
If most of your answers fell on one side, you have your answer. If they were mixed, that is normal. Extraversion is made of several parts, the ones these questions touch: friendliness, love of company, assertiveness, pace, excitement-seeking and cheerfulness. You can be high on some and low on others.
That is also why one label rarely says everything. Two people who both call themselves introverts can be quite different: one shy with strangers but bubbly with friends, the other confident but in need of lots of quiet time.
Why it is worth knowing
Knowing where you sit helps you plan your energy. An introvert who knows a conference will drain them can book quiet time after it. An extrovert who knows solo work drags can pair it with a social break. Couples and teams with different styles can stop taking each other's needs personally.
Take the test
A short, structured test is more reliable than a self-guess, because it asks the same questions of everyone and compares your answers with other people's.
Find out where you land with the free test
For more on each result, see our pages on the introvert, the ambivert and the extrovert. This article is for education, not a psychological diagnosis.