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It wasn’t at all surprising to learn that I was considered an extrovert when I took the Myers-Briggs in college. I’ve always loved to be with people and to go to social activities. But it wasn’t until I took a class on Myers-Briggs that I learned that being an introvert or extrovert is more than just liking people and being social.
The way I describe introversion versus extroversion to people is by asking “where do you get your energy from?”
Extroverts get their energy from other people. That’s because in social settings an extrovert’s brain is stimulated with dopamine. Their brains view social interaction as a reward so they seek opportunities for that reward. Extroverts have a more active dopamine-reward network than introverts – meaning extroverts need more dopamine to feel pleasure.
An introvert feels overwhelmed, in addition to excitement, when their brain is flooded with dopamine. They feel overstimulated. Introverts are also more responsive to the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, which makes us feel good when we turn inward. Acetylcholine powers our abilities to think deeply, reflect, and focus intensely on just one thing for a long period of time.
Introverts thrive when they are operating in parasympathetic mode. In this mode our body is calm, muscles relax, energy is stored and our heart rate slows. This is one of the reasons that introverts crave alone time – they desire to engage in quiet, thoughtful activities. Image Credit
When extroverts are not in their preferred environment they can experience fatigue, inability to concentrate, increased anxiety, and depression.
No one is a full introvert or extrovert. “Ambiversion” is the middle area and it’s where the most people fall on the spectrum.
Where do you fall on the introvert – extrovert spectrum?
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Re: Brain Science of Is and Es
