The Relationship Between Ambiversion and Communication Adaptability

Abstract

Communication is a skill humans are constantly utilizing, and their personality can have a strong effect on the way they utilize their communication skills. Understanding the adaptability of our ever-present communication and the influence personality type can have provides vital knowledge to all communicating individuals. This study focused on the potential connection between communication adaptability and the personality types of introversion, ambiversion, and extraversion. Many studies have explored communication adaptability and personality type independently; however, the relationship between the two has had very little study. The connection between the variables of communication adaptability and personality type was determined via a cross-sectional survey utilizing the Introversion Scale (McCroskey, 2007) and the Communication Adaptability Scale (Duran, 1983). The relationship between introversion, ambiversion, and extraversion was analyzed using Pearson’s bivariate correlation and ANOVA, which indicated that extraverted participants tended to have statistically significant higher levels of communication adaptability. There was also a moderate correlation between ambiversion and social composure, a low correlation with social confirmation, and a high positive correlation to social experience. Introversion had a moderate positive correlation with social composure and social experience. Finally, there were moderate positive correlations between extraversion and social composure as well as social experience. These results indicate that the more extraverted one is, the more likely they will be to have higher communication adaptability. Thus, there are communication adaptability strengths for all three personality types, but extraverts have the highest tendency to have high scores of communication adaptability. Individuals should consider determining what their personality type is to allow them to take advantage of their areas of strength and ascertain weaknesses they could potentially work on when it comes to their communication adaptability.