How to tell you're a raging extrovert or a happy introvert

YOU might think you're an extrovert. But you'd be suprised how many people are secretly introverts. Here's how to tell if you belong to the club too.

Shane Warne loves a party, and Liz Hurley. Picture: Getty Images)

SHANE Warne is definitely one, Richard Branson certainly acts the part and chances are eccentric Lady Gaga is probably an extrovert, too.

And while this out-there trio are all very different people, they all share one thing in common: belonging to the extrovert club - along with half to three-quarters of the world's population.

Members of this club are largely outgoing and sociable, happy to be the centre of attention and often surround themselves with a large circle of friends.

They are also more likely to share information and personal details about themselves and usually aren't afraid to voice their opinions either.

But what about the rest of us?

While most of us probably think we know whether we're an extrovert or not, experts agree there's probably a little bit of introvert in all of us - or in Shane Warne's case - maybe not much at all.

Warne, once dubbed the bottle blonde extrovert, has a reputation for loving a party and being pretty open when it comes to Twitter.

And he's not shy about showing his love and affection for fiance Elizabeth Hurley either, as racegoers who attended Royal Ascot last month can testify.

Richard Branson never finds it a drag putting himself out there. Picture: Tony McDonough

Lady Gaga, pictured at the MVA, doesn't strike us as shy or retiring. Picture: Getty Images

This is in stark contrast to people such as the intensely private music star Prince, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and the late Steve Jobs who are, or were, generally more happy to take more of a back seat when it comes to being the centre of it all.

Psychologists say while many people tend to exhibit mostly introvert or extrovert qualities, even the biggest show-off will have moments of shyness and periods where they want to be in their own company.

Prince is notoriously shy and private, despite being on stage. Picture: AP

Organisational psychologist Bruce Crowe said we can't always characterise everyone but that we could learn to tell what people were in order to help us build better personal and professional relationships.

He said by knowing someone's characteristics people could better improve their own approach with people in their various relationships.

He said as a general rule it was easy to say people who liked to be the life of the party were extroverts, while more private people tended to be introverts.

"People tend to exhibit one form of behaviour or another and some people lean towards one way or the other," he said.

But he added this could vary according to people's different life stages and situations.

Director of the Healing Relationships Centre Eric Lyleson said the classic way to tell an extrovert was someone who recharged their batteries by being around other people.

They were also likely to be the life of the party, more outgoing and less willing to hold back, in direct opposition to introverts.

But he said as humans we were always changing and that often people could be a mixture of both.Still confused as to whether you fit the extrovert/introvert bill? These general traits may help make things a little clearer.

Extroverts:

- Love being the life of the party

- Get energised from being around others

- Dislike being alone for long periods

- Are engaging and sociable

- Enjoy group workSeek acceptance and inclusion

- Can be more direct in their approach and disposition

- Are often seen as energetic, bubbly

- Like to have a large circle of friends

- Are organised, direct and vocal

Introverts:

- Prefer solitude as opposed to the company of others

- Get energy from being alone rather than from being around people

- Get results through passivity rather than aggression

- Can find being in a busy, public place overwhelming

- Prefer anonymity

- Prefer one-on-one to group situations

- Will stick to people they know at a party

- Can be seen as shy and retiring

- Can find small talk difficult and tiring

- Prefer talking face-to-face rather than on the phone

Amelie, the main character in Jean-Pierre Jeunet's romantic comedy, is a beautiful introvert.

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