Introverts, Extroverts' Response to Surroundings

Personality Traits Affect How People Perceive Light and Sound

Mar 26, 2008

Not only does light affect mood, but introverts and extroverts react differently to brightness, sound, and odors. Here's how personality traits and surroundings interact.

Light, brightness, and sound affects introverts and extroverts differently. Depending on your personality traits, your surroundings can either motivate or demotivate you at work.

Everything around you – sound, lights, what you're sitting on, what you’re smelling – sends sensory stimulation to your brain. This sensory data competes for your attention, and potentially draws energy away from mental activities such as creativity, performance, and clear thinking.

Dr Pierce J. Howard, author of The Owner’s Manual for the Brain, tells employers, “Make sure that sensory input in your workplace is not driving productive mental activity out of your workers.” He believes all the sensory stimulation you take in vies for attention with your other mental activities. That’s why it’s difficult for some people – especially introverts – to work in loud, crowded, odiferous places. There’s just too much sensory stimulation, and introverts don't find it comfortable.

Extroverts, on the other hand, can tolerate more sensory stimulation in their work environment.

How Introverts and Extroverts Respond to Sensory Stimulation

Extroverts generally have a higher tolerance for sensory stimulation (light, brightness, sound, odors) than introverts do, which means extroverts aren’t as affected by bright lights or loud noises. Introverts tend to prefer less stimulation, and are more affected by sensory input and their surroundings.

Introverts also tend to be easily distracted by their senses. Bright lights and loud noises wear them out. In contrast, extroverts are more comfortable in the midst of even a "gong show." Their performance and mental state may not be as negatively influenced by sensory stimulation.

If you’re an introvert at work, make sure your office or space offers low amounts of sensory stimulation. Wear earplugs if necessary, and keep your area free from clutter.

How Light Therapy Affects Mood – For Both Types of Personality Traits

The lighting in your room or office is a type of sensory stimulation that influences your performance and mental state. It can increase or decrease productive mental activity.

“Light affects mood and alertness by shutting down the production of melatonin, the sleep inducer,” says Dr. Howard. “Because alertness is important for safety and productivity, the work environment should be well lit.” Darkness or dim lighting triggers the pineal gland to secrete melatonin, which increases the feeling of sleepiness.

Sunlight is an effective mood enhancer, and can increase creativity and productivity (this is why seasonal affective disorder occurs in the winter). Sunlight or even light therapy is a natural way to improve your mood.

Since your mind is generally sharper during daylight hours, your performance and mood may be most effective before the sun goes down (though this varies from individual to individual, and from introvert to extrovert). Studying or working at night works for some people, but not others -- it depends on your personality traits.

How to Improve Your Mood and Maximize Your Performance -- For Both Introverts and Extroverts

The best way to maximize your performance, increase creativity, and improve your mood is to figure out what works for you. Are you drained by fluorescent lights? Try turning them off and using a lamp instead. Is the office too loud? Try white noise or earplugs to block the sensory stimulation.

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The copyright of the article Introverts, Extroverts' Response to Surroundings in Psychology is owned by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Permission to republish Introverts, Extroverts' Response to Surroundings in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.