Complex

A. Many people enjoy swaying along to the music in a nightclub. For these extroverts, a night spent dancing and talking to friends is a fun evening. But for introverts, this is the stuff of nightmares. Small talk, dense crowds and loud music can be terrifying. Even partying at home with a group of friends, though fun, can be draining. Some people would much rather be tucked up in reading a book. This is a primary difference between extroverts who on the one hand who feel energised from stimulating environments and interaction, and introverts on the other hand who feel drained and low in energy as a result of such situations. B. Why do introverts and extroverts react so differently to the same situation? The answer has to do with some key differences in the way their brains are wired. One major difference between the brains of introverts and extroverts is related to their response to the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical released in the brain that provides the motivation to seek external rewards like earning money or attracting a mate. It creates a sensation of pleasure as a reward for success in these endeavours. When dopamine floods the brain, both introverts and extroverts become more talkative and motivated to take risks. Introverts have the same quantity of dopamine present in their brains as extroverts. The difference is in the functioning of the dopamine which is more active in the brains of extroverts. Extroverts thrive on the dopamine-charged good feelings created when they engage the sympathetic side. Introverts rely more on a different neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Like dopamine, acetylcholine is linked to pleasure; the difference is that acetylcholine makes us feel good when we turn inward. It powers our abilities to think deeply and focus intensely on just one thing for a long period of time. It also helps explain why introverts like calm environments; it’s easier to turn inward when we’re not attending to external stimulation. When an introvert is lounging at home in quiet solitude, lost in a book or watching Netflix, they are basking in the pleasant effects of acetylcholine.