Why are some people extroverted and others introverted?

There are extroverted and introverted personalities. But what factors make someone have one way or another? Is there a reason that explains these differences?

Extroversion and introversion are subject to the interaction of different components; For example, genetics and neurobiology greatly influence behavior, as do environment and culture. Continue reading to find out how each of these variables makes some people sociable and others not so much.

What is extroversion and introversion?

Both terms refer to dimensions of personality that They describe and help understand how individuals relate to themselves, the world, and others.

According to the International Encyclopedia of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Extraversion encompasses traits such as sociability, assertiveness, positive emotions, and impulsivity. Extroverts are very active, friendly and enjoy being with others.

On the other hand, people with introversion traits are reserved, quiet and calm. They usually have few friends and enjoy quality time alone.

It is necessary to clarify that Not all subjects are extroverted or introverted. There are those who fall in the middle of the spectrum; they are known as “ambiverts.” The latter express traits of both personalities, for example, they like socializing and company, but also loneliness.

Why are some people extroverted?

Extroversion is the result of the interaction of biological, environmental and cultural factors. It means that, Its complexity can only be understood by analyzing the integration of different components. Therefore, there is no single cause to explain why some people are extroverted. Look in detail at these components.

Biological factors

Neurobiology and genetics are connected to extroversion. However, this does not determine that a person is like this; rather it predisposes it. It means that It is constituted from the interaction between biology and the environment.

Genetics has always been related to personality and is an important factor in its development. An article published in Translational Psychiatry maintains that The “Big Five” personality traits, most notably extroversion, are 40% to 60% heritable.. Although it is a large percentage, it is not entirely decisive.

Likewise, research reviewed by Scientific Reportson the link between dopamine genes and extroversion, found that a A higher index of dopaminergic genes is linked to sociability. These results indicate that a highly functional dopamine system is associated with behavioral traits of this personality.

It’s more, The release of dopamine increases exploration and the search for new experiences, presents a work published by Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. This type of behavior is observed in extroverted people, often characterized by being adventurous.

In addition to genetics and neurochemistry, brain structures have a crucial impact. In 2015, researchers Lei, Yang and Wu, from Southwest University in Chongqing, studied personality from a neurobiological perspective.

According to these authors, extroversion is related to the activation of several brain regions, such as the anterior cingulate cortex, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the middle temporal gyrus, and the amygdala.

Social experiences have a great influence on extroverted behavior.

Environmental factors

Personality depends on biology and environment. Extroversion is influenced by culture, family, and individual and social experiences. All of these factors shape the cognitive, behavioral and emotional patterns of this way of being.

Currently, culture, especially Western culture, distinguished by individualistic and business values, greatly superimposes extroversion over introversion. This is how Susan Cain shows it in her book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. In this context, it is not surprising that the development of this personality is more prominent.

In parallel to culture, the family plays its role. For example, Children who are raised by extraverted parents tend to be like them. This is because they learn through observation and imitation to behave just like their attachment figures.

In the same way, Social experiences affect the configuration of personality. So, if a person is constantly exposed to interaction with others and participates in social activities, it is possible that they develop extroverted traits, since the context favors and reinforces that personality.

Why are some people introverted?

The etiology of introversion is multifactorial. Its origin is found in the interaction of different environmental, biological and psychological components. Therefore, its causes vary from one person to another. Just as there are some extroverted people, there are also introverts; Next, examine the elements involved in this.

Biological factors

A research published in Medical Hypotheses suggests a possible association between the ABO AB phenotype and introversion. The study indicates that the ABO B allele in the ABO AB group is identified as the driver of this personality traits. However, more research is needed to confirm this relationship.

In the neurobiological field, introversion correlates with increased blood flow in the frontal lobe and anterior thalamus, reports the American Psychiatric Association. Additionally, increases have been observed in Broca’s area, the insular cortex, and the right temporal cortex.

Following this order, a study in the Journal of sleep research indicates that «introverts demonstrate higher levels of basal activity within the reticular-thalamic-cortical loop, which produces greater tonic cortical excitation than in extroverts. In other words, introverts have a higher level of arousal and alertness.

Environmental factors

The family is essential to form the personality. If an individual grows up with parents who do not reinforce or encourage sociability, he may not have the opportunity to strengthen his social skills. And one of the consequences would be the discomfort that he feels when being with others, since he does not have sufficient resources to relate.

The above is just an explanation, it is not an absolute truth. In fact, it is possible that introversion is not the result of a difficulty in establishing relationships, but rather a learned pattern that was modeled by the presence of introverted parents.

It is even likely that the person simply likes to be alone, even though he or she has good social skills. Many introverts know how to make friends and have them, but they prefer to spend time alone.

Another reason for introversion has to do with traumatic experiences. It is common for victims of harassment, abuse and rape to distance themselves from others out of fear, mistrust and self-protection. In such circumstances, the behavior in question arises as a kind of defense mechanism.

The lack of family reinforcement in terms of sociability and traumas tend to alienate other people.

So why are some people extroverted and others introverted?

Everyone has a story and multiple reasons for being the way they are. Therefore, it is not correct to generalize the contextual explanations offered in this space, since everyone has their own life path and this, without a doubt, is linked to some people being extroverted and others introverted.

Based on the above, it could be said that People are extroverted or introverted because environmental and biological variables interact with each other in particular waysgiving rise to a behavioral, cognitive and emotional pattern characteristic of a personality style.

If you are an introvert or extrovert, you could reflect on those environmental elements that perhaps shaped your way of being. As the oracle of Delphi said: “Know thyself.”

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