Everybody is different. That may sound obvious, but people really do have different personalities and different ways of being in the world. Sometimes when people don't think and act like us, we wonder if something is wrong with them. In fact, there are many "normal" ways of thinking, feeling, and acting. These differences make life interesting.

For many years, psychologists have been studying the differences among people, especially the way they act around others. For instance, they have found that some people are by nature very outgoing. Psychologists call these people extroverts. People who are generally more reserved or private are called introverts.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Click the statement in each pair that sounds most like you.

At a party I

walk up to strangers and introduce myself.
tend to stick with the people I know.

I prefer

long, deep conversations with close friends.
friendly chats with lots of people.

I usually

rush to answer the phone.
let the answering machine or someone else pick up first.

I usually

say what's on my mind.
sit back and listen

I am

a good talker.
a good listener.

I think of myself as

outgoing.
private.

Waiting in line at the store, I am more likely to

talk to other people.
keep to myself.

Hanging out with other people

pumps me up.
wears me out.

Before an important conversation, I

rehearse in my head what I'm going to say.
jump right in and start talking.

At school, I am

tuned in to what's happening.
the last to know the latest.

I prefer to

be around other people.
spend time alone.