Introverts and Extroverts Have Different Brains

Most people think of themselves as either an extrovert or an introvert,and they often think it has to do with how outgoing or shy they are.

And yet introversion and extroversion are actually based on where we getour energy. An easy way to tell if you’re an introvert or an extrovertis to answer this question: After a long week of work, which would yourather do: spend some quiet time alone OR go out with friends? The introvertsamong us would prefer some alone time, because lots of interaction canbe physically and emotionally draining – introvertslose energy through human interaction and need alone time to recharge. Extroverts,on the other hand,gain energy from interacting with others, so at the end of a busy work week,they crave time with friends and loved ones to recharge.

Research shows that the brains of extroverts and introverts actually lookdifferent, with each group processing “reward” differently.Compared to introverts, extroverts show greater activity in the amygdalaand nucleus accumbens (areas linked to the brain’s reward system)when faced with risky, surprising, or unfamiliar situations. In otherwords, the brains of extroverts are wired to experience greater rewardfrom unfamiliar situations. These same situations, however, can be overlystimulating for introverts, which can cause them to shut down.

There’s also research that shows that extroverts and introverts alsoprocess stimuli in different areas of the brain. For extroverts, new stimulationtravels a relatively short path through the areas of the brain associatedwith taste, touch, and auditory and visual processing. For introverts,however, new stimulation takes a much longer, more complicated path throughthe areas of the brain associated with planning, remembering, and solving problems.

There is no “good” or “bad” to either side of the spectrum.In fact, extroverted people can be shy and introverted people can lovepublic speaking. What’s important to know is that the brains of introvertsand extroverts are wired differently. It’s also good to know how peopleon each side of the spectrum like to be treated. Check out these graphicsfor lots of helpful tips on the care and nurturing of the introverts andextroverts in your life!