Introvert or Extravert?

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Are you more introverted or more extraverted? The term ambivert exists to describe those who are more or less at the mean between extreme introversion and extraversion, but for the sake of this thread, I'm making you pick. Some people define extraverts are simply more outgoing and social whereas introverts are more socially reserved and prefer to be alone more often. To do this more Jungian definition, I will add Hans Eysenck's conceptualization: Extraverts need more external stimulation than introverts (who thus become mentally overstimulated from too much excitement). In the NEO-PI-R assessment of the Big Five factors of personality, the extraversion-introversion dimension comprises several facets: warmth, gregariousness, assertiveness, activity, excitement seeking, and positive emotion.

I find this paradoxical because, in some respects, I am extremely introverted but in others much more extraverted. For example, I really have no close friends, which heavily suggests introversion; but once I do start talking to someone, I can become very open and talkative, which implies extraversion. I tend to be warm and friendly towards those I know but distant around strangers in public. In terms of gregariousness, I sometimes think I would like to make more friends but at the same time value the autonomy of basically being able to dictate my own schedule and activities to a greater or lesser extent (even if I am bored most of the time for the asociality). In terms of assertiveness, sometimes I can be overly passive, but at other times, I am perhaps overly assertive (varying with my mood, level of frustration, and a quixotic stochasticity). In terms of activity level, I'd much rather be busy than bored; relaxing goes from being relaxing to making me restless more quickly than it does for most people. In terms of excitement seeking, I don't particularly value what NTs consider excitement for the most part, which seems to imply nothing more than getting maximally drunk; I prefer interesting intellectual or just amusing conversation, good food, or learning new things (which sits better with the openness to experience dimension of personality rather than extraversion). For positive emotion, I try to think more positively than I had for many years, and it's helped, but I still probably lean slightly towards a mildly negative emotional state more often than I'd like (however, when I'm not frustrated or depressed about something, I can generally look at things on the lighter side and not get worked up over things).

Adding to this paradox is that, as a young child (preschool and before), I was probably fairly extraverted: highly curious about the environment and almost everything, energetic, happy and carefree, and even outgoing (I remember enjoying telling random strangers about my baby sister when we were at the store or some such place as my mom was running errands). By elementary school, I had become extremely shy (to the point of selective mutism). My social slills had not been developing at the rate of my age-peers, and I had become the target of increasing bullying and ostracism.

How does everyone else come across on introversion vs. extraversion?

Up until I was about 12 I was an extrovert, with a slight streak of shyness here and there. From that point on painfully painfully Introverted.

Care to explain the reason(s) for the sudden shift?

I'm an introvert, it's always been my nature. I just don't see a reason to be outspoken. I'm not saying I don't see a reason to be social at all, I just have no interest of being a social butterfly or the life of the party.

I thought that Aspies are by nature and instinct introverts. Perhaps a better poll would be to ask if you have become less introverted after learning of your AS and struggling with it.

I started experiencing allot of bullying that did a number on my self esteem.

Introvert, strongly.
Was more extroverted as child, because there was less material (memories, associations & connections) in my brain-so my mind was occupied with external stimuli. Had much less fear.

Also, as other posters have noted: around time of adolescence-for both social & inherent physical reasons-these changes bring stress, unpleasant experiences & uncomfortable emotions. Many (not all) react to these issues with environment, other people, and oneself by "going inwards". That can mean withdrawing or merely becoming more circumspect, observing rather than participating, to some extent. I'm trying to make this sound neutral (value-wise).

My "NT" boyfriend is extroverted (socially at ease & sensory seeking), in some ways we balance each other out, compensate for what the other is weaker on (I'm a sensory avoider). With him, I may seem extroverted (temporarily, within this singular context)-if by that one means talkative. Am not shy around him, provided we're alone (other people still make me nervous).

Hmmm. I would guess that some proportion of people with ASD's are extroverted, despite the implicit "self-directed attentional style" of the word "autism".

Not sure if my level of introversion has changed significantly since getting dx a few yrs. back. I'm more able to explain things but no more comfortable around strangers. I joined WP & started posting (which I'd never done before), after my dx. Didn't have a computer until 2004, so all these things happened at same time-and it took while for me to dare write here. Does making comments on WP "count" as doing social activity, or being slightly extroverted ?

Extreme introvert.

Im kind of in the middle. I crave social company but I am unable to understand and follow what most people are doing so I end up alone more than not.

I like spending time alone but I start wanting to see people if I get too much of it.

If I had my way I would probably choose to spend perhaps 60% of my time with people and 40% alone.

I know I would be way more sociable if I wasnt on the spectrum.

I am an ENFP on the Myers Briggs Scale.

That test says I'm an introvert.

My social contact and desire is far too ingrained in my ASD than my personality:

Before preschool: I sat down and did my own thing without initiating contact, ignored others who tried to contact me (other than my immediate family)
Preschool: never approached anyone, but interacted with others when they did with me
Primary school: same as preschool
High school: same as preschool
College: no one approached me

I never wished to socialize, I do socialize now, and for the first time, I approached the individual in question.

I was an extrovert, as a child, and introvert, as a teenager and I'm now and extrovert, again.

lol How am I not an extrovert? I'm extremely outgoing!

I fail to see the scientific merit of categorising people as "introverted" or "extroverted". I understand that doesn't really matter to a lot of people, but I can't face these "assessments" anyway on that basis.

I've always been a bit of both, but mostly I am introverted, mostly with my personal feelings. I always feel like I might hurt someones feelings or something, I don't know. =/

I'm quiet most of the time, but I do have a (somewhat annoying) talkative side with people I know

I started out more introverted. When I learned about my dx and really read on what it was about I took it as a challenge and made efforts to become extroverted. After enormous amounts of failure I started to get frustrated and became somewhat introverted again. I'd say I'm about half and half right now.