New York: Psychiatrists have introduced a new personality category called the otrovert, a term coined to describe individuals who neither turn inward like introverts nor outward like extroverts, but instead orient themselves in a distinct way that sets them apart from others.
The label was proposed by psychiatrist Rami Kaminski, who explained the concept in New Scientist and in his forthcoming book The Gift of Not Belonging: How Outsiders Thrive in a World of Joiners. Kaminski argues that the otrovert represents a distinct temperament, characterised by emotional independence, originality, and a resistance to conforming to group emotions.
From joke to viable theory
According to Kaminski, the idea of the otrovert began as a light-hearted observation. “In the early stages, it was kind of a joke in the team,” he admitted in his interview with New Scientist. But over time, after observing both patients and his own experiences, the psychiatrist concluded that the pattern was consistent enough to be considered a legitimate hypothesis.
The term combines the Spanish word otro (meaning “other”) with the suffix -vert, a common feature in psychological language used for describing orientation, such as introvert and extrovert.
Traits of an otrovert
Kaminski describes otroverts as emotionally independent individuals who resist the “Bluetooth phenomenon”—the tendency of most people to automatically mirror or pair with the emotions of those around them. Instead, otroverts are often detached from the group’s emotional sway, making them capable of independent assessment and original thinking.
“They are the kind of thinkers who can spot the fanaticism of a hive mind long before most people can,” Kaminski explained.
This temperament often appears from childhood. Kaminski recounted how, during his scouting days, he noticed he felt no emotional connection while reciting a pledge, even as his peers were visibly moved. In hindsight, he said this reflected emotional detachment rather than indifference.
Possible historical examples
The psychiatrist suggests that several well-known historical figures may have been otroverts. These include Frida Kahlo, Franz Kafka, Albert Einstein, and George Orwell, all of whom exhibited independent thought, creativity, and detachment from conventional norms.
He argues that while society often prizes belonging, conformity, and group affiliation, otroverts thrive precisely because they do not instinctively “join in.” Instead, their unique orientation can serve as a source of creative problem-solving and critical thinking.
A gift and a challenge
Kaminski acknowledges that otroverts often face challenges, especially during adolescence when peer belonging is considered important. Cultural pressure to fit in may frame their differences as psychological problems rather than natural variations of temperament.
However, he emphasises that the personality trait should not be viewed purely as a burden. His book argues that the “gift of not belonging” can offer advantages, especially in contexts requiring innovation, objectivity, or resistance to groupthink.
Beyond introvert and extrovert
The otrovert personality introduces a new axis of social orientation, diverging from the classical Jungian categories of introversion and extroversion. Kaminski calls for further research into its developmental origins and biological mechanisms, suggesting that recognising the trait may change how therapists and educators approach individuals who do not fit existing moulds.
While its reception within the clinical community remains to be seen, the proposal has already sparked conversations about whether human personality should be framed along more nuanced dimensions than the introvert-extrovert binary.
Conclusion
The otrovert personality represents a fresh perspective in personality psychology. Whether it becomes widely recognised or remains a niche concept will depend on future research, but Kaminski insists that naming and acknowledging the trait could validate people who have long felt out of step with conventional categories—and potentially redefine how individuality is understood.