Cognition Learning and Personality

Cognition Learning and Personality

Ikoo Kenneth

Multimedia University of Kenya

The term “extrovert” and “introvert” are always common on psychological cases. In simple terms that one would find it easier to understand, they are used to describe an individual’s characteristics as far as interpersonal relationship is concerned. Introversion typically refers to the state or the tendency where one is predominantly concerned and only interested in his own mental life. This type of individuals are typically reserved and reflective. Their energy gas a tendency of expanding during the process of reflection and has a dwindling nature when engaged in interaction. Introverts normally take pleasure I activities that involve solitude such as using computers reading and writing (Depue, et al 2011).

Extroversion on the other hand depicts a state of one being more concerned further clarification outside himself. This individuals are very enthusiastic and gregarious, they talk a lot and are more assertive as compared to introverts, and hence they enjoy interaction with others. They get more energized when they are around others. The extroverts gain much pleasure in social gatherings such as community activities, political meetings and parties. These individuals therefore tend to work much better in groups and are bored when alone.

This traits have been proven to have biological basis. It is illustrated that extraverted characteristics has a close resemblance of a system base in mammalian approach. This system is based on an incentive that is positive based which has been studied in animals. The a research done on the animals indeed provided evidence to support the fact that specific series of interactions that are neurological play a great role in the varying levels reaction towards incentive stimulus. On first consideration the incentive is realized in specific series of signals that occur between medial orbital cortex, the amygdala and the memory center. This is then followed by the brain evaluating the intensity of the incentive stimuli in the interaction that occur in series in between the nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental and ventral palladium, all of which forms the dopamine area. This creates a state that is incentive motivational hence motivating a response due to the motor system. This differences in incentive processing of individuals are brought about by the differences in ventral tegmental projections which has a direct responsibility for the intensity that is perceived in the stimulus incentive (Depue, et al 2011).

It is therefore of great interest to consider the fact that if these biological basis of introversion and extraversion rule out environmental factors. This is not the case, environmental factors still plays a great role in the determination of this psychological behavior. It is suggested that in order to sustain this type of emotional trait, the extent to which to which one interacts with his or her immediate environment dictates a lot. The trait is dependent on the surround more than it is to the neurobiological structure. It is further illustrated that the genetic make-up only contributes to 50-70% of the difference in traits of human beings. The rest is dependent on the factors that surrounds that particular person. It is therefore logical not rule that biological basis completely rules out environmental factors in introversion and extroversion (Houghton, 2010).

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