Source: Radio New Zealand
Do you prefer to see friends one-on-one rather than in a group?
Are you more of an observer than an active participant?
Perhaps you prefer to stand out, rather than fit in.
Dr Rami Kaminski.
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You’re possibly an “otrovert”, according to Rami Kaminski, an American psychiatrist who coined the term after recognising the personality type in his patients — and himself.
He says otroverts are “outsiders treated like insiders”, welcomed into groups even though they don’t feel like they fit in.
“Introverts are shy and reclusive, mainly preoccupied with their inner world,” he wrote for the Australian Financial Review.
“Otroverts are acutely aware of other people and cannot find refuge inside themselves when surrounded by others. If anything, they are too attuned to the world around them.”
Carly Dober, a psychologist and policy coordinator at the Australian Association of Psychologists, says otroversion is only a hypothesis at this stage.
“There is no peer-reviewed research into it. That’s not to say it isn’t valid. We just don’t have research to back it up,” Dober says.
“And that’s how many terms are created and [later] validated … someone saying ‘I noticed something clinically and I’m calling it X.'”
Extroverts and introverts versus otroverts
Introversion and extroversion are spectrums of energy levels or responsiveness to socialising, explains Dober.
She says introverts typically describe needing more alone time and get drained from socialising. They might be considered homebodies.
Extroverts, on the other hand, can enjoy their own time but get energy from being around other people. They are often loud and exuberant, Dober says.
“Typically, the majority of people are probably ambivert, where they can enjoy both elements … and there’s a heavy overlap.”
Examples of otroversion
These are just some core qualities of otroverts, according to Dr Kaminski (extracted from his book, The Gift of Not Belonging: How Outsiders Thrive in a World of Joiners):
- Are not likely to throw themselves birthday parties and generally avoid group celebrations of any kind.
- Prefer sports and activities where they can compete individually.
- Don’t like bringing together people from different parts of their lives, even if those people know each other.
- Don’t feel an affinity with a particular sports team, an alma mater, or a company they work for.
- Stand by their opinions and convictions if asked to weigh in on something at work, and aren’t swayed by the opinions their colleagues have expressed.
- They are specialists rather than generalists, with interests and skills that run narrow but deep.
- Despite having differing points of view, otroverts are not combative or argumentative; rather, they come across as polite, friendly, and even outgoing.
- Are confrontation-averse and considerate, sometimes to a fault.
Is it worth exploring whether you are an otrovert?
Dober says from a sceptical point of view, there could be many reasons people might display the behaviours or have the feelings Kaminski has listed.
“It could be divergence, trauma, neglect, and abuse in childhood,” she says.
“It could be counterculture, wanting to identify as a free thinker, performing to that.”
If it’s a real phenomenon, she says that could be “quite exciting”.
“It means people who haven’t seen themselves in the three categories (introvert, extrovert, ambivert) might have a greater understanding of their identity and preferences,” Dober says.
Guided by Kaminski’s definition, Dober says otroverts may feel they thrive in making deep relationships with core people in their lives.
“Which is a huge strength … displaying high levels of empathy and connection and being energised by relationships.”
They may struggle in bigger groups, however.
“I’m thinking about when you start a new job, or degree, and you’re sent off to work on a project [with a group of people]. They can feel very out of step,” Dober says.
Jacqueline Baulch is a clinical psychologist in Melbourne and says otroverts sound secure and self-assured, and “don’t really need to look outside for validation and approval”.
The value of a label
“I mean this in the most generous way to humans; we are so interested in ourselves,” Dober says.
“Understanding why we are the way we are is endlessly fascinating to us.”
She says categories are helpful to the human brain.
“Categories allow us to put things into a mental schema; help us work out how the world or personal life works.”
It can also be helpful when getting to know other people. Telling someone you are an introvert can signal a few things.
But Baulch warns there is a downside to personality labels.
“If you appeal to them too much, you lose that curiosity to explore what might be going on underneath,” she says.
“I’m all for a label if someone feels it’s helpful … I would just be curious to explore what it is about that label they find helpful.”
If otroversion resonates with you, Dober suggests talking to others who may feel the same way.
Talking to a GP, counsellor or psychologist can also help you unpack it further.
“There might be things underlying what you think is otroversion, but could be something completely different,” Dober says.
“That’s what can be dangerous about self-labelling; we might land at a different conclusion,” therefore missing something important, Dober says.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
