Eysenck's Arousal Theory of Introversion & Extraversion

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German psychologist Hans Eysenck’s Model of Nervous System Temperament links temperament traits, specifically introversion and extraversion to the Central Nervous System. Introverted people are typically quiet, reserved, and timid whereas extraverts are active, sociable, and outgoing (151). According to Eysenck, introverts have high levels of brain arousal, which is controlled by the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS). Therefore, introverts do not need to seek external arousal leading them to be more reserved. Contrastingly, he argues that extraverts have lower levels of brain arousal and therefore are more sensation seeking in order to make up for it. In this paper, I will aim to synthesize and summarize some of the research regarding introversion and extraversion and their link to the central nervous system and states of arousal. I will synthesize this information to support the idea that while introversion and extraversion are on some level linked to states of arousal, Eysenck’s arousal hypothesis is not alone sufficient to explain the biological differences between introverted and extraverted individuals and their behaviors as such. Gerald Matthews, D. Roy Davies, and Jackie L. Lees conducted a series of three experiments to test this Eysenck’s arousal hypothesis of introversion and extraversion. The first of the experiments, which consisted of two parts (A and B) is most germane to this argument. According to Eysenck’s hypothesis, extraverts are low in arousal and therefore should seek stimulation in the morning. However, in accordance to Matthew’s experiment, the opposite actually happens. In part A of this experiment, the participants were 50 males and 50 females ranging in age from 18 to 36 with normal vision. ... ... middle of paper ... ...Test of Eysenck’s Arousal/Arousability Hypothesis. Journal of Individual Differences, 30(2), 87-99. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/1614-0001.30.2.87 Lindín, M., Zurrón, M., & Díaz, F. (2007). Influences of Introverted/Extraverted Personality Types on p300 Amplitude Across Repeated Stimulation. Journal of Psychophysiology, 21(2), 75-82. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/0269-8803.21.2.75 Matthews, G., Davies, D. R., & Lees, J. L. (1990). Arousal, Extraversion, and Individual Differences in Resource Availability. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59(1), 150-168. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.59.1.150 Rammsayer, T. H. (1998). Extraversion and Dopamine: Individual Differences in Response to Changes in Dopaminergic Activity as a Possible Biological Basis of Extraversion. European Psychologist, 3(1), 37-50. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1027//1016-9040.3.1.37

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