Introverts have higher levels of cortical arousal than extraverts.

[wadlez]

In my last psychology lecture I learnt about Eysenk and his personality trait theory. His theory states that there everyone can be measured on a continuous scale on only 3 traits. They are: Extraversion - Introversion, Neuroticism - stability (Worried vs calm, insecure vs secure), Psychotisism (Social outcast, cruel etc).
He beleived that your personality was due to genetics and he set out to prove this by using brain scan techniques.
Which brings me to the point of this thread. He found that introverts have a constant higher activation of the resceding articular activating system (arousal systems). This basically means that introverts are generally always more stimulated than extroverts.
This explains why extroverts are more outgoing and thrill seeking than introverts. Basically they are not stimulated unless they are outgoing and seek stimulation. Introverts on the other hand are content in lesser stimulating situations.
When introverts are in highly stimulating situations (partys etc) they can quickly find themselves over stimulated, stressed and want to withdraw.

The lecture then went on to explain that this is why kids with ADHD are perscribed stimulants to calm them down (this used to confuse me, give speed to the hyperactive kids?) . They take ridalen or whatever medication and it gives them higher cortical arousal which makes them more content to be quite in class etc.
Another interesting note on this is the effect of alchohol on introverts. Because alchohol is a depressant so lowers cortical stimulation, this causes introverts to generally become heaps outgoing and boisterous when drunk.

Studys have found that performance for introverts greatly breaks down in stressful situations (Think about times when you have played sports).

 

[RobertJ]

This is actually very interesting, thanks for posting it.
It makes complete sense, I'm generally content in quieter more tranquil atmosphere where others would seem to be bored. And I do break down in more social and active atmosphere, I get migraines and feel anxiety and exhaustion.
I also notice that when I'm on a date with a girl I will gradually become exhausted and incur a migraine headache, it's so annoying.

 

[truthseeker72]

Intriguing. I have read similar findings in other literature about introversion. This theory also explains my reaction to alcohol ( I become quite chatty), as well as my sense of exhaustion when I'm trapped in social situations for more than 2-3 hours.

Also, if more people became aware of the findings, perhaps the stigma associated with introversion, i.e., being regarded as "anti-social", will diminish.

 

[Dominguez]

Another interesting note on this is the effect of alchohol on introverts. Because alchohol is a depressant so lowers cortical stimulation, this causes introverts to generally become heaps outgoing and boisterous when drunk.

this is most definitely true from my own experience.

 

[Concojones]

This theory also explains my reaction to alcohol ( I become quite chatty), as well as my sense of exhaustion when I'm trapped in social situations for more than 2-3 hours.

That could have been me saying that. Great thread!

 

[Ermine]

I also heard that caffeine has a bigger effect on introverts. I guess this is a good reason why.

 

[Concojones]

Wow. Our combined Ne in action!

 

[QSR]

LOL I love caffeine and alcohol, and this explains a lot why. I read a book about introverts that showed that basically serotonin travels differently in our brains based on external stimuli than it does for extraverts. We tend to need to process things more in our frontal lobes. This means we understand better, but there is more complexity in our thoughts that don't always get communicated.

 

[jiarem]

LOL I love caffeine and alcohol, and this explains a lot why. I read a book about introverts that showed that basically serotonin travels differently in our brains based on external stimuli than it does for extraverts. We tend to need to process things more in our frontal lobes. This means we understand better, but there is more complexity in our thoughts that don't always get communicated.

So is this why the internal processing doesn't easily get externalized? For the most part, I agree that there is a lot of internal energy, for me. I just wonder why I don't readily translate this to the external world. The few exceptions I can think of are in discussion of topics I'm particularly interested in and in any sort of conversation with my ENTP friend. I naturally resonate with him, so it's easier to display my internal processes. Of course, it could be the INTP mimicry in action, but it feels natural enough that I think it's much more than that.

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

This explains my trouble with sleeping. It's always my brain that doesn't cooperate come bed time by being too active.

 

[del]

Along these lines, I've read that introverts salivate more when they smell food.

 

[severus]

Hm, quite odd. I wonder how that was discovered..

(I like your avatar )

 

[Gorgrim]

By this definition the chemical mechanic of Cortisol dictates wether a person will need to look for stimulus( an instinct ish). And when somebody who has a low level, they will be driven to mate with more partners, and friends.

An introvert will generally be on a high enough level not to seek many partners, friends...? so obviously an introverts need to mate depends on how much you need to be stimulated?

if the amount of partners you seek ( introvert/extrovert) and cortisol arousal ( introvert / extrovert ) is two sides of the same thing... I am so stimulated I never have time for it....

:P







Well, is sports beeing more stressful to introverts than to extroverts?.

Introverts are using their dominant function by themselves frequently and beeing stimulated more on average would problably be right.

But in a sports situation both types of people are processing information. E's tend to like sport more, but both types can play sports obviously. I's need to keep cool sometimes, or you will end up processing too many options for your own good, instead of just playing.

I reckon that it's a skill that you can have as an introvert, trying to maintain your cool, 'just play'.... essentially means you should use your Ti but don't go overboard.

Anybody can play sports, and I agree extrovert's seem to get stimulated by sports, where they wouldn't otherwise be. Just as introvert's will tend to play sports less frequently, and aren't in need of as much stimulation from it.

I think the basic idea is that both can play sports well, but introvert's don't always need to play high paced sports, and if playing at a bad time, they can become over-stimulated and end up breaking down some.

 

[jiarem]

This explains my trouble with sleeping. It's always my brain that doesn't cooperate come bed time by being too active.

Agreed. I stay up for hours because my mind refuses to sleep. Then again, I've always been a night owl, and it seems that my mind is most active at night.

 

[Red Mage]

This explains my trouble with sleeping. It's always my brain that doesn't cooperate come bed time by being too active.

Ditto.

 

[hopefulmonster]

This explains why wall staring is one of my favorite past times.

 

[wadlez]

Along these lines, I've read that introverts salivate more when they smell food.

There also was a mention that due to the higher level of corticol arousal, Introverts condition quicker than extroverts (see classical and operant conditiong). I didnt really understand it though.
Your comment reminded my of pavlov's dog, which reminded me of that

 

[QSR]

I find it really hard to believe that there is any statistical difference between introverts and extroverts participating in sports.

 

[wadlez]

If you test Introverts and Extroverts ability to do some task, then compare it to them under stress and see how they perfrom, you would be able to see if there performance drops under stress.
I dont really see why you couldnt believe it, its not that complex.

 

[Ghost1986]

being drunk tends to piss me off. i hate feeling sluggish and vulnerable. not a good condition to fight in. paranoia pulse vulnerable does not make me happy.

as for preforming under stress, that's where i tend to excel. if it wasn't for the last minutes, i would be a lot father behind and in a lot more trouble.

 

[QSR]

If you test Introverts and Extroverts ability to do some task, then compare it to them under stress and see how they perfrom, you would be able to see if there performance drops under stress.
I dont really see why you couldnt believe it, its not that complex.

Please cite sources.

 

[wadlez]

Im just relaying what I heard in my lecture which i thought people would find interesting, im sorry you dont believe me. There i was just explaining how it is such a simple thing to measure, so simple i just created an experiment on the spot to how they could of done it.

 

[echoplex]

I do find that I'm always hyper-aware, it seems. It's really hard for me to just tune out.

I'd imagine though that this theory is only reliable with extreme introverts and extroverts. For example, and introvert with well-developed Se (ISxP) could still be good at sports.

In general, it does make sense though. Those who already have enough of the "drug" don't need to refill as often as those who have less. Of course, I'd imagine that extroverts could also have higher arousal levels in times of stress.

 

[chocolate]

When introverts are in highly stimulating situations (partys etc) they can quickly find themselves over stimulated, stressed and want to withdraw.

I have experienced this with my ex boyfriend, who was INTJ (and the most I person I know). After a couple of hours out in a noisy environment, he would get 'overstimulated' and go home. Also I noticed he didn't have the endurance I had for conversations. I would just get going after a couple of hours and he'd get tired and have to stop (which is too bad because I found conversing with him fascinating).

My introverted (but less so) sister, on the other hand, can party all night with me and we can talk all night too.

Spontaneous question: this cortisol-flow cannot be constant, can it? And if not, then what triggers more or less amounts? I have some times when I want to avoid people and be alone, does that mean I'm getting more cortisol? Or just that I had longer exposure to people? I find that solitariness breeds more of the same with me. Hmmm. After 6 hours alone, I want to be with people. After a few days alone, I tend to want to stay alone. Very weird.

In any case, interesting thoughts...

 

[Artifice Orisit]

This explains my trouble with sleeping. It's always my brain that doesn't cooperate come bed time by being too active.

Concentrate on slowing your breathing and heart rate, it keeps your mind busy and prevents your brain from self-stimulating with the imagination.

 

[Enlightenstorm]

If cortical arousal is caused by chemcials; which controlled by genes does this mean that genes control personality? If so is pschology just a study of the different biochemical reactions in the brain?

 

[wadlez]

If cortical arousal is caused by chemcials; which controlled by genes does this mean that genes control personality?

Hans Eysenck seems to think it does. But obviously nurture will have to come into play. He believes are brains inatly develop in a certain way which generally guides are personality.
So does jung btw

If so is pschology just a study of the different biochemical reactions in the brain?

Eventually everything in psychology will come down to the chemcial reactions happening in the brain

 

[Concojones]

I find that solitariness breeds more of the same with me. Hmmm. After 6 hours alone, I want to be with people. After a few days alone, I tend to want to stay alone. Very weird.

Same here. The day after a party I behave more extravertedly (seeking company, joking around) and look forward to the next. Couple days later I'm back to introverted ('hmm, I wish I hadn't subscribed to that event' -- an event I'll probably like and afterwards be thirsty for more).

 

[Seducer of the Homeless]

In general, it does make sense though. Those who already have enough of the "drug" don't need to refill as often as those who have less. Of course, I'd imagine that extroverts could also have higher arousal levels in times of stress.

Exam Stress Revision for Extroverts.....Book on Table, Pen in One Hand - Cock in Other.

 

[Yozuki]

Cortical Arousal?

Yeah. something like that.

 

[echoplex]

Exam Stress Revision for Extroverts.....Book on Table, Pen in One Hand - Cock in Other.

ummm, you sure there's not a certain type of magazine hidden in that book?

 

[Seducer of the Homeless]

aah.....the Stress of Sexual Education Exams........

 

[phantome]

I just recently finished a book about this, it had the same exact ideas as you just mentioned. It's called "Personality" What makes you the way you are by Daniel Nettle

very good and insightful book

 

[Nevermind]

In my last psychology lecture I learnt about Eysenk and his personality trait theory. His theory states that there everyone can be measured on a continuous scale on only 3 traits. They are: Extraversion - Introversion, Neuroticism - stability (Worried vs calm, insecure vs secure), Psychotisism (Social outcast, cruel etc).
He beleived that your personality was due to genetics and he set out to prove this by using brain scan techniques.
Which brings me to the point of this thread. He found that introverts have a constant higher activation of the resceding articular activating system (arousal systems). This basically means that introverts are generally always more stimulated than extroverts.
This explains why extroverts are more outgoing and thrill seeking than introverts. Basically they are not stimulated unless they are outgoing and seek stimulation. Introverts on the other hand are content in lesser stimulating situations.
When introverts are in highly stimulating situations (partys etc) they can quickly find themselves over stimulated, stressed and want to withdraw.

The lecture then went on to explain that this is why kids with ADHD are perscribed stimulants to calm them down (this used to confuse me, give speed to the hyperactive kids?) . They take ridalen or whatever medication and it gives them higher cortical arousal which makes them more content to be quite in class etc.
Another interesting note on this is the effect of alchohol on introverts. Because alchohol is a depressant so lowers cortical stimulation, this causes introverts to generally become heaps outgoing and boisterous when drunk.

Studys have found that performance for introverts greatly breaks down in stressful situations (Think about times when you have played sports).

That is really interesting.

..but ADHD kids are prescribed stimulants to focus their mind, it does not calm them down, it just allows them to focus their energy with more control.

I have been diagnosed with what is called ADHD-Predominantly Inattentive(which means I'm not the typical hyperactive ADHD kid, I just have trouble focusing) and prescribed 40mg of Adderall daily(school days).

The medicine is incredibly helpful in getting work done as opposed to slacking off, procrastinating, or going to sleep, but it does not calm me down. It makes me more talkative, more restless, more alert, and more motivated.

My sister is prescribed Ritalin, 20mg I think, but she is ADHD-Predominantly Hyperactive, she is the stereotypical bouncing off the walls ADHD kid. Her meds also do not calm her down, they just allow her to more easily pay attention and focus. She also becomes more talkative and more restless.

And before anyone says it, I am well aware that lack of focus/attention/motivation is an INTP trait and it's more likely just a part of my personality than some sort of disorder, but the meds work and they have made my life so much easier, and that's all I care about as far as ADHD goes.

 

[wadlez]

I would like to be diagnosed with ADHD but cannot be bothered organising and paying to see a psychiatrist. Ritalin would make uni easier for me

 

[FacetiousPersona]

I would like to be diagnosed with ADHD but cannot be bothered organising and paying to see a psychiatrist. Ritalin would make uni easier for me

Ritalin makes the world seem sweet like a sugar treat. The world's coated ^_^ with this delight for all to be pleasant.

 

[Nevermind]

I would like to be diagnosed with ADHD but cannot be bothered organising and paying to see a psychiatrist. Ritalin would make uni easier for me

My sister and I were both diagnosed by our family doctor. I never saw a psychiatrist.

It really is an amazing help. It makes it easier to start working on something boring, and then once you start, you just feel so comfortable doing it that you don't want to stop. It's like lying in bed after a long day and knowing you have to get back up and do more things, but you just don't wanna get up. It's weird, but wonderful.

The one catch is, adderall/ritalin does not control what you focus this new energy on. If you decide to doodle instead of work, you'll be perfectly happy doodling for hours and not get anything productive done.