The Brains of Introverts and Extroverts
Scientist have found that by looking at the structure of someone’s brain, it is possible to determine whether they are an introvert or an extravert. There are several differences in a brain whether a person prefers to relax alone or through social interactions.
First of all what is an extrovert and an introvert? A lot of people say that being an introvert is being shy whereas being an extrovert means you’re outgoing. However, that is not always the case. The significant difference between the two lies in the cortical arousal, the activation of the middle part of your brain (cerebellum). This part of the brain is responsible for regulating the heart rate, muscle tone and breathing rate. Introverts have a high cortical arousal and extroverts a low one.
Another difference between the two personality types lies in the frontal cortex, which is one of the four major lobes of the cerebral cortex, located in front of the cerebral hemisphere. Introverts have more blood flow within the frontal lobe, which monitors things such as solving problems and making plans. In comparison, extroverts have more blood flow in the temporal lobe, the part of the brain responsible for interpreting sensory data, such as speech. Furthermore, extroverts have a thinner grey matter (the prefrontal cortex), making it more natural for them to “live in the moment”.
One of the most surprising research finding is that extroverts seem to live happier lives than introverts. The reason may be in their active social lives, their better ability to regulate their mood or their tendency to hold onto good memories for longer periods of time. However, some scientists have also pointed out that extroverts may only be better at expressing their emotions, giving a sense that they are happier, though this may not truly be the case. Either way, our brains can tell a lot about us. Maybe future brain research will also give answers to what makes a person happy.
