Is it true that introverts and extroverts operate using different parts of the brain?
MYTH: Recent research suggests that the left brain vs right brain theory is not true. There are certain tasks that are operated on a specific side of the brain, such as translating language which primarily operates in the left hemisphere, while the right hemisphere focuses on emotion and nonverbal communication. However, even though certain parts of the brain focus on specific attributes and functions, it is not true that one side can dominate and predetermine your personality traits. The entire brain is used when trying to understand something.
What does the infographic present?
The infographic above demonstrates the preassumptions some of us have on how the brain correlates to our personality traits. Brain activity is not symmetrical which means it does vary from individual to individual and so some may find the left brain, right brain theory to align with their aptitudes but for most, it does not hold true. Most of us would probably find ourselves somewhere in the middle. It is thought most commonly that those who are left-brained are more analytical, detail-oriented, numerical, logical, and objective. Those who are right-brained, are more intuitive, emotional, free-thinking, creative, and subjective.
Some may even think that these traits are also associated with introverted and extroverted characteristics. Although introverts and extroverts demonstrate differences in the way they process feelings and thoughts, it does not change the way the brain functions when communicating information between different hemispheres. Being more analytical does not mean you an introvert, nor does it mean that you an extrovert if you are a creative person. It simply means that you tend to process information either internally or externally; which, as a result, can also determine whether or not outside factors either help stimulate you or if they over-stimulate you.
Why is Brainspotting beneficial for both introverts and extroverts?
It’s been determined that we are not left brain or right brain dominate, but rather, both hemispheres work on communicating with each other while piecing together facts. Brainspotting is effective because both sides of the brain are activated as one processes. With that said, it does not matter if you are an introvert or an extrovert. The information that is being processed gets activated in the same way in brainspotting, no matter what your personality is. For brainspotting to be effective, it requires a few things which can be achieved by anyone: access to one’s unprocessed trauma through the use of one’s field of vision and the counselor-client relationship.
BRAIN – BOTH access unprocessed trauma in the subcortical brain, tapping into the body’s natural ability to self-scan and self-heal neurophysiological sources of emotional/body pain, trauma, dissociation, and other symptoms.
EYES – BOTH use the field of vision to spot, process and release experiences and symptoms that are typically not available for the conscious mind while also accessing the limbic systems within the body’s central nervous system.
THERAPIST– BOTH achieve attunement with the therapist. This deep connection and understanding between you and the therapist can be made with or without speaking during the sessions. The processing is just as effective.
