Most people have become used to describing their personality and social tendencies as either ‘introverted’ or ‘extraverted. In 2025, a well-known psychiatrist wrote a book called The Gift of Not Belonging where he presented a third personality type called otroverts. According to Dr. Kaminski, otroverts display some extraverted and introverted qualities, but are non-conformists who don’t belong to either group.
What is an otrovert?
Otrovert is a new term coined by Dr. Rami Kaminski, a well-known psychiatrist who suggests that this third personality type describes people who don’t conform to group or social norms, and are often highly eccentric, creative, and independent. Otroverts are described as not wanting or being willing to conform their beliefs and values to fit into a social group.
If someone is characterized as an otrovert, they tend to have difficulty fitting in with others in the absence of anxiety or shyness. While research on this classification is limited due to its newness, experts believe otroverts rarely have mental health diagnoses that explain their relational tendencies. [1][4] Otroverts are described as predominantly displaying a personality trait known as ‘otherness.’ The word itself is a blend between introvert and extrovert.
According to Dr. Kaminski, some of the signs of being an otrovert include:
- Difficulty blending or fitting in with groups, clubs, and social circles
- Intense need for independence and nonconformity
- Less likely to need approval or for others to agree with their views and opinions
- Values freedom, independence, and autonomy
- Trouble accepting authority or institutional beliefs, values, and norms
- Avoids noisy, crowded, and overstimulating events and places
- Critical of mainstream attitudes, beliefs, and institutions
- Eccentric and rebels against conventional attitudes, beliefs, and lifestyles
- Intense need for privacy and avoids being in the spotlight
- Shy in unstructured or new social groups and activities
- Comfortable and confident in social situations where they have a defined role or task
Origins of otherness
In 2023, Dr. Rami Kaminski first defined otroverts as those who demonstrate traits that may lead them to be described as outsiders. He emphasizes that otroverts are less concerned about emotionally connecting with others than most people are. [2] These individuals also resist assuming certain identities or affiliating themselves with groups in pursuit of original thinking and independence.
In 2025, Dr. Kaminski wrote the book, “The Gift of Not Belonging” where he further defined what an otrovert is and the corresponding traits and tendencies of this personality type. He also founded The Otherness Institute, where he provides more information on otrovert traits and a self-assessment for people to identify them within themselves.
How otroverts differ from other personality types
An otrovert’s ability to stand apart from others stems from their different style in interacting with people, though they display common social traits like empathy and likeability. Such a presentation typically leads otroverts to blend in with others, despite personally identifying as an outsider. [4]
Part of their identification as outsiders can be attributed to their lack of interest in traditionally accepted roles, norms, and beliefs. Otroverts also don’t subscribe to fulfilling social obligations, leading them to gravitate more toward activities and interactions with one or two other people rather than groups.
Introverts
This personality type is characterized by a strong preference for engaging in smaller, more intimate social scenarios. Introverts may be mistaken for being shy or socially inexperienced, but it’s more accurate to say that traditional interactions expend a great deal of their energy. This leads them to be more selective about who and where they interact with people, as well as to focus more on their own thoughts and intentional actions. [3] Due to their ability to internally reflect and critically think, introverts prefer deep conversations and creating long-lasting bonds with people they feel closest to. [4]
Extroverts
Individuals who identify as extroverts tend to chase fast-paced and active social settings, as this is how they gain energy. An extrovert presents as talkative and outgoing, as their attention is directed to the world and the people around them. This energy is reflected in the high degree of social and self-confidence they display. [4][6] Extroverts use the act of talking and socializing to help them think through concepts and ideas. They will also look for new experiences and greater variety to sustain themselves. [3]
Understanding otroverts' relational style
The majority of people draw a great deal of connection to and meaning from various roles in their lives, such as sister, caretaker, and volunteer. These roles play a big part in how people interact with one another. [2][6] However, otroverts sidestep these roles and make their own path during interactions.
As a result, they may go between different social groups, though not necessarily becoming a central part of any. This allows otroverts to be seen as sociable and outgoing, though they don’t really have a strong connection to those groups. [1] Instead, they tend to have a more limited number of close friends, similar to people who are introverted.
The pros and cons of otherness
As with any personality style, being an otrovert comes along with its own advantages and downsides. Being an otrovert is seen as having the following benefits: [1][2][3][4]
- Social flexibility: This allows otroverts to self-regulate (assisting with managing their energy) and quickly change their responses to remain appropriate for the situation. Such flexibility gives otroverts a healthy balance between their internal battery and the dynamics of the group.
- Various levels of tolerance for social settings: This fluctuation allows otroverts to sustain their social function in the long run.
- Identity-dependent confidence: An otrovert’s self-assured nature comes from their ability to remain who they are regardless of the social setting, how often they socialize with others, and other variables.
- Desire for meaningful interactions with a steady pace: This trait is reflective of how an otrovert is a blend between introverts and extroverts. They need both to keep them engaged in social settings. They often prefer 1:1 conversations that are deeper and more meaningful, rather than being in groups.
- Flexible but firm boundaries: Known as principled elasticity, an otrovert’s boundaries allow them to remain adaptable for those they are close to, but not to neglect their personal priorities or values.
- The ability to bring people together: Otroverts can handle a range of situations with apparent ease. This allows them to bring people of various backgrounds and personalities together while meeting their needs at the same time, which also makes them good mediators.
- Creative, free, and original thinkers: Otroverts tend to buck conventional beliefs and institutions, and are often highly critical thinkers. Their ability to think freely, creatively, and venture outside of conventional wisdom means they often have innovative and revolutionary ideas.
- Being ingenious and curious about the world around them: This is especially true of children who are otroverts, as they tend to question convention and traditionally accepted information more than children with other personality styles.
Disadvantages
While downsides of any personality style tend to be subjective, people may feel strain from some of an otrovert’s traits. Some of those otrovert tendencies include: [3][4][5]
- Being seen as unfriendly or callous for declining to participate in group activities or shared customs, traditions, and rituals
- Not reacting to rejection in the typical way
- Coming off outspoken, lacking spontaneity, immaterial, firm, or rebellious by others who do not understand how otroverts operate
- Finding comfort in being and working alone, which may be off-putting to people in social settings and cumbersome to deal with in work and academic settings
- Struggling to come to a consensus when in groups of people
- Having difficulty sharing their thoughts if they don’t connect with those around them
- Not wanting to accept advice from others, which may be difficult in therapeutic settings
- Tending not to take advice or need validation from people, which may offend loved ones
- Lacking trust for institutions (such as government and corporations) as well as respect for policies and rules
- Being overly guarded or private when sharing information about themselves or their lives
- Seeming less interested or motivated to be a part of a group, club, or social circle
- Struggling with feeling lonely or like an outsider when in groups of people
Are otroverts recognized as a personality group?
Otroversion is a new concept that was coined by a well-known psychiatrist in his 2025 book called “The Gift of Not Belonging”. While there has been interest from the larger field of psychology in this new classification, otroversion is not currently recognized as a mainstream, accepted, and proven personality type.
Jung initially created the terms ‘introvert’ and ‘extrovert’ in the early 1900s and used them to develop eight main personality types, now referred to as Jungian personality types. These core groups describe the ways in which people think, sense, feel, and act. [2][3] Since then, introversion and extraversion have become recognized as core personality traits that can be measured in psychologically validated personality tests like the Big Five Personality test.
Currently, there is no psychologically valid assessment to verify that otroversion exists as an alternative type to introversion and extraversion. This may change as time goes on and experts do more research on the topic.
How do I know if I'm an otrovert?
As with other personality types, there are tests that help someone discern if they are an otrovert. Currently, the prevailing test (called the Otherness Scale Questionnaire) is from the Otherness Institute, which was developed by Dr. Kaminski.
This test is designed to help someone reflect on the character traits of otroverts and how they may or may not be present in their own life. It is important to note that this test cannot be used to diagnose any psychiatric conditions, nor is it meant to serve as a replacement for therapeutic or medical treatment.
Summary
Otroverts are distinct from introverts and extroverts in that they can blend into social settings while still feeling and acting like an outsider. This makes them uniquely positioned to join multiple social groups and act as a mediator. Otroverts do not often participate in group activities and prefer to spend time and work alone.
While otroverts are not a formally recognized personality type, there is not much research on them due to the newness of the group. It may also take some time before this personality group is integrated into traditional mental health frameworks for treatment purposes.
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