[jikin]

I know a guy who looks like an extravert, but I can't shake the feeling that he is actually an introvert.

So my question is: how do you spot an extraverted introvert?

[Frag]

Er, that doesn't make sense.

[redbaren]

My theory is you can have times were you very extroverted or very introverted, I know by experience that I can have a day were I am very extroverted and talking to every one, then the next day I can be super quiet and wrapped up in my school work.

[jikin]

	Originally Posted by Frag To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Er, that doesn't make sense.

Basically I'm talking about an introvert who is very good at looking and acting like and extravert on a regular basis due to either up-bringing, adaptation, or situation.

[redbaren]

	Originally Posted by jikin To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Basically I'm talking about an introvert who is very good at looking and acting like and extravert on a regular basis due to either up-bringing, adaptation, or situation.

That's very interesting, is it because you are around your friend? Because I know I act more extroverted, when I am around my friends so that could be the reason.

[mayumi]

You may get a better estimation of weather somebody is introvert or extravert by observing how they spend their free time. Which eliminates any adapting to a situation variables.

[TheLastMohican]

	Originally Posted by mayumi To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	You may get a better estimation of weather somebody is introvert or extravert by observing how they spend their free time. Which eliminates any adapting to a situation variables.

I am something of an extraverted introvert (when it's advantageous), and this would certainly work for me.

[hullolife]

I would consider myself one. If you saw how I spent my free time...you'd know my introvert self come through.

[Solaris]

You can have a low preference on this scale for one or the other, but you can't be an extraverted introvert, nor an introverted extravert. The two terms are directly contradicting in terms of personality theory. You could be a confident introvert, or a shy extravert. Being loud and outgoing around people you know well and like does not negate introversion. Likewise, enjoying time alone does not negate extraversion.

[Vagrant]

	Originally Posted by jikin To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I know a guy who looks like an extravert, but I can't shake the feeling that he is actually an introvert. So my question is: how do you spot an extraverted introvert?

Interestingly, I was just thinking about a friend just like this. She's very extraverted around people she knows, but very introverted around people she doesn't know. So I would type her as introverted.

One easy way to check is to see how he behaves around large groups of strangers. If he sticks to only his friends and seems to want to avoid the crowd, that's a good sign he's an introvert.

[jikin]

	Originally Posted by Vagrant
	One easy way to check is to see how he behaves around large groups of strangers. If he sticks to only his friends and seems to want to avoid the crowd, that's a good sign he's an introvert.

Here's what I'm seeing in group situations: he looks like a social butterfly. He goes around talking to lots of people from friends to random acquaintances to total strangers. What I've noticed, though, is his body language seems way off. While he'll initiate contact he also remains very closed and tends to start looking around for someone else. When he finds someone else and excuses himself he'll do the same with them. He also tends to let the other person do the majority of the talking. He never looks very relaxed in these situations, but as I said he looks very social at the same time.

When he goes to sit somewhere he has a tends to stay near his parents instead of friends...by the way...he's 26, not 10. When his parents aren't around he seems to latch onto one close friend to sit with.

In smaller group situations he won't be the first out the door, but he'll usually leave immediately after the first person to leave, or with them, even if they didn't arrive together.

I'm not really certain about how he spends a majority of his free time.

	Originally Posted by Solaris To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	but you can't be an extraverted introvert, nor an introverted extravert.

I realize this, but I've heard it worded that way before and thought it was an apt way to convey what I was talking about.

[Moondyn]

I'm one at times, or rather I'm balanced with this personality feature, so many people see me as an introverted extrovert.

[Synamon]

As Vagrant mentioned, outgoing introverts (I'm one of those) don't like groups of people they don't know. So the fact that your friend circulates through the crowd would say extrovert to me. Sounds like he gets bored of them quickly, not that he's introverted. Latching onto anyone to sit with is still extroverted, he wants to be around people even if it's only his parents.

[Solaris]

Syn, I disagree. His body language description makes him sound like he's dying to get away and screams introvert to me. Plus, he stays just long enough not to be considered rude. Sitting with parents or close friends is probably a security thing at social functions. It eliminates the need to go meet people.

[ElstonGunn]

Well, he obviously has to be one or the other, because psychology has no room for grey areas. Since it matters so much, I say just pick one and go with it.

[Frag]

I have an ISTP friend, you'd think he was an E sometimes. My ISFP brother is great at slipping into social-butterfly mode too.

But they both have a limited energy supply for that, and ultimately have to go home and recharge. Just like all good introverts. :P

Thats what to me gives them away though; they might light up around people, but there is time limit, and it gets offset soon after by some (usually quiet) alone time.

Es will keep going (at it?) like bloody energizer bunnies.

[Ezion]

Based on what I can recognize from your friend, he sounds like an introvert. I do the same thing in some social situations, going around and meeting various people, and sometimes looking like an introvert. If you were to observe me closely, you'd notice that while I appear to be talkative and outgoing, I'm usually a bit tense.

I have no reason to avoid people and realize that in some social situations it's good to make some contacts, but it's very unnatural for me. A little discomfort is nothing that will stop a willful introvert, but if someone were closely observing me my body language probably screams "unnatural".

Also, depending on what type of introvert he is, he may have a hard time talking to larger groups. Speaking purely for myself, I have a hard time spontaneously processing the reactions of large groups of people, because there are generally too many observable variables.

This should not be confused with talking to crowds, as the distinction between small groups and crowds are entirely different scenarios.