Do you get asked whether you are an extrovert or introvert. Well you are neither. Extroversion/Introversion is a spectrum which means we fall somewhere on that spectrum line. So in effect we are ambiverts with extrovert/introvert functions. You can take a free test (https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/MIES/) to assess your location on the scale although you already might know where you sit. Even if most individuals are aware of their behavioural preferences where extroverts tend to be more outgoing, talkative, energetic versus introverts being more reserved and solitary, many don't know that these may relate to how we energize or recharge our brains. In a lemon juice experiment back in 1960s (The Relation between Introversion and Salivation, D. W. J. Corcoran) proposed that extraversion was caused by variability in cortical/brain arousal. The research suggested that introverts have a higher levels of brain activity than extroverts and so are more cortically aroused than extroverts. This means that introverts prefer to spending time alone when needing to recharge while losing energy from being around people for extended periods of time. On the other hand, extroverts get their energy by being around people. Extroverts actually find their energy dips considerably when they spend too much time alone. They recharge by being social. Accepting that introversion and extraversion are normal behavioural variants can help in self-awareness and understanding of others. The following graphic (posted on a number of blogs without source) provides some real good suggestions on how to care for either of the variants.
