Differences Between Extroverts and Introverts
What are the main differences between extroverts and introverts?
Nobody is actually fully introverted or extroverted. Most people are somewhere in the middle, but tend to have more traits in one side of the spectrum than the other. There are also ambieverts who have a balance of both personality traits. With that common misunderstanding out of the way let's look over some of the traits of extroversion and introversion.
The key differences - Extroverts.
- They recharge themselves by socializing and being around other people.
- Tend to have more friends but less close friendships.
- Tend to get easily distracted.
- Make decisions quickly.
- Speak up in group meetings.
- Like to be the center of attention.
- Very open with new people.
- Can accept change easily.
- Good at small talk.
- Speak more.
The key differences - Introverts.
- Recharge themselves by spending time alone.
- Tend to have less friends but more close friendships.
- Are able to focus deeply for a long time.
- Think before they act.
- Tend to be quieter during group meetings.
- Avoid pulling attention to themselves.
- Tend to be shy around new people.
- Have trouble accepting change.
- Bad at small talk.
- Listen more.
These are the general differences between the two spectrums. Im sure a lot of you were able to relate to a lot of these traits. And some of you may have traits from both spectrums, which means you're probably more ambieverted as i mentioned above.
Going more into the ''recharging'' part. As it turns out introverted and extroverted people's brains are actually different. It has to do with two chemicals in our brains - dopamine and acetylcholine. Dopamine is the pleasure chemical which makes us feel happy and good when we engage in different pleasurable situations, such as food, sex, extreme sports etc.
But Acetylcholine effects on the other hand are more subtle - it makes us feel relaxed, alert, and content.
Extroverts are less sensitive to dopamine, so they need more of it to feel happy. The more they talk, move, and seek new faces, the more they feel dopamine’s pleasant effects.
But introverts are sensitive to dopamine, too much of it makes them feel overstimulated and anxious.
However, when they read, concentrate, or use their minds in any way, they feel good because their brains release acetylcholine. Extroverts, on the other hand, hardly register acetylcholine’s gentle happiness bump.