Understanding the role of the reticular activating system in human "thinking" is important to fully appreciating Dr. Jung’s and Dr. Benziger’s work. There are three distinct ways in which understanding the functioning of our R.A.S. promotes a deeper appreciation of Jung’s model.

First, as the regulator of our stable level of wakefulness, it sets and maintains how much information or stimulation we take in, second per second, while we are awake.

Secondly, our R.A.S. when affected by anxiety or our fight-or-flight response rapidly and temporarily increases our arousal level. This enables us to be suddenly and fully alert, seeing much more than we normally see, noticing much more than we normally notice, when we are in danger. It prepares us to successfully respond to danger.

Finally, as a major communication link between our Frontal Lobes and our energy reserves in the brain stem, our R.A.S. makes it possible for us to obtain additional energy to focus our attention when, directed to do so by our Frontal Lobes. This direct provision of additional energy to focus on a problem, experienced most powerfully by people with a natural preference in one of the Frontal Lobes – in either Thinking or Intuition - explains how and why Frontal thinkers – with a lead in Thinking or Intuition - tend to be more energetic than Basal thinkers, whose natural lead function is Sensation or Feeling. Frontals are often seen as: fast moving, fast talking, and intense or driven, Type A's - workaholics. Understanding this internal functioning explains why many Frontals are in a real sense addicted to problem solving. What’s more, Frontals actively choose to do problem solving because of this energy high.

Set Point

The Set Point is the typical, stable level at which a given human system operates. We all have many set points. We have: our normal, typical weight; our normal heart rate; our normal breathing rate; and, as well, our normal waking arousal level. In all cases, a change in our environment or activity level may cause a temporary alteration in the affected system. If we overeat for several days, we put on weight. If we run, our heart beats faster. If we become worried, our arousal level will go up. However, for a healthy person such increases are temporary. When the increased activity or environmental stimulus diminishes, our system re-balances quite naturally to its set point.

Arousal Level

Our arousal level identifies the amount and speed of our brain’s activity. Of necessity, our arousal level varies from walking to dreaming, to sleeping. Moreover, when we shift from sleeping to waking we always "wake up" at the same level of arousal. In other words, we each have a stable level of arousal in the waking state, which may be seen as the set point for our waking arousal -- that is how alert we are when we are simply sitting, fully awake, but not actively stimulated to "thinking" in a focused way about a problem.

Concerning arousal, Hans Eysenck's research suggests that humans are distributed along a continuum according to a normal bell curve. That is, fifteen percent (15%) are very aroused, fifteen percent (15%) are only minimally aroused, and seventy percent (70%) are in the middle.

Importantly, those of us who are highly aroused take in much more information second per second than the average person and may subsequently need to diminish or limit the "volume" of the stimulation around us. This leads others to see us as introverted. This is because, being so highly aroused, introverts tend to "overload" more readily, especially in highly stimulating (noisy, varied, colorful, eventful) environments. When this happens, introverts tend to close down in order to control or to limit the level of incoming stimulation and to make sense of everything they have already taken in.

By contrast, those of us who are only minimally aroused take in much less information second per second than the average person and may subsequently need to augment or increase the "volume" of the stimulation around us. This leads others to see us as extraverted. This is because, being only minimally aroused, extraverts tend to not think clearly or even fall asleep if they do not receive more stimulation from the outside environment. For this reason, extraverts are commonly found increasing the volume of stimulation in their environment. They turn on the TV and radio. They open the door and invite the dogs and or children to come in. They turn on the radio while reading, or move to a noisy place to read.

Finally, it seems, many people, about 70% of the population wake up at just the right level of arousal, to be alert and able to think clearly, but not so alert so as to be vulnerable to being overwhelmed by intense stimulation. Given their Balanced arousal level, these people are able to manage well in a wide range of jobs and environments, by scheduling an oppositely inclined activity immediately following any activity which is either highly extraverted or introverted.

Given the above, it is possible to understand the following definitions for Extraversion and Introversion as well as to understand their implications for an individual.

Extraversion

Having a naturally low level of arousal which causes the individual to seek higher than normal levels of stimulation in order to "feel alive."

Typical ways in which the extravert seeks stimulation include: trying to influence or control his or her environment; confronting others; engaging in competition; attending crowded parties or events "where the action is".

Introversion

Having a naturally high level of arousal which causes the individual to seek lower than normal levels of stimulation in order to not feel overwhelmed.

Over a period of years, this need to not be overwhelmed by external stimulation develops into an internally focused thinking style which may seem withdrawn, meditative, quiet, or even reclusive to more extraverted persons. Typical ways in which the introvert seeks to control the level of stimulation include: spending time reading, reflecting, or otherwise alone; avoiding or being accommodating to others; competing mostly with oneself or self image; going to small parties or out of the way places.

Additionally, it is important and helpful to understand the:

Physiology of Chronic Anxiety

When we are subjected to some type of chronic anxiety for months or years, it is our R.A.S. which shifts its set point so that we are continually more alert in our general waking state. Subsequently, we naturally become more introverted until we address the source of our chronic anxiety. Although somewhat disorienting, this shift is fully reasonable as it causes us to be more introspective, thereby increasing the chances that we will notice that we are living under some types of chronic anxiety which is "frightening" us and causing us to live on edge, always a bit in fear. As such anxiety is usually the result of some life choice we have made or some way we are living our lives, the increased level of introspection increases the probability that we will see the problem at the level of the problem and solve it. When this is done and the source of our anxiety is resolved, we can quite naturally return to our normal level of wakefulness.

Subsequently, by juxtaposing what we have learned physiologically, with Jung’s own observations on extraversion and introversion, we have a clearer appreciation for Jung and as well as tools such as the MBTI and BTSA, others are using to help people apply Jung’s model to empower and guide themselves. Here for example are five questions, which have left many people confused about Jung, Type or the MBTI for several years. In the light of the new information science provides, the confusion surrounding each question dissolves.

1. Jung saw Introversion as "saying no to life" and at the same time, a natural, normal way of being?

According to Dr. Hans Eysenck, Jung was 100% correct when he said that Introversion is a normal and healthy way in which many people live life, based on their physiology. At the same time, Jung was also 100% correct when he noticed that at least some Introverts seem to be saying no to life.

In point of fact, Introverts actually take in so much information per second that they might be said to be "gulping in information" - a definite yes to life. Yet, the fact that overly loud environments in which a lot is happening can cause them to be "overwhelmed" can cause them to appear to be saying – in that highly stimulating context – no to life, when in fact what they are saying no to is simply the experience of being overwhelmed.

As well, some Introverts develop a negative attitude towards life as a result of being continually shamed or devalued when they live in a culture which seems to value and reward Extraversion more than Introversion. This is certainly the finding of Elaine Aron in The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You.

Yet another factor which "gives Introverts a bad name" is this one. Many people, under chronic anxiety – brought about by many consecutive years of high stress – develop a negative attitude because of the stress they have had to face. At the same time, these people experience a shift as a result of the chronic anxiety, in their arousal system. They become more Introverted. Indeed some natural Extraverts become so "stressed out" and their level of arousal shifts so much, that they actually appear to be Introverts. All these people – who are experiencing a higher level of Introversion as a result of chronic anxiety – reinforce the older belief that "Introverts say no to life."

2. Why are Extraverts sometimes mistakenly identified as Feeling Types?

Many Extraverted people have been thought to be Feelers when they were actually natural Sensors, Thinkers or Intuitives. The reason is that all Extraverts are attracted to people because people are a dependable source of stimulation – from conversations to playing games to fighting or arguing. Quite often, in a business meeting, someone will identify another person as "a real people person". This person may be a Feeler, but he or she is just as likely to be a Sensor, Thinker or Intuitive.

3. Why do those working with the MBTI sometimes have difficulty determining whether a person is actually Extraverted or Introverted?

The answer here is two fold. On the one hand some people according to Eysenck actually have a Balanced level of arousal such that they are neither highly Extraverted or Introverted. On the other hand, people do shift in response to chronic anxiety. Some people who are naturally Extraverted may appear markedly less so as a result.

4. Why some persons profiled with the MBTI two or more times and / or several years apart report being told they were Introverted on one occasion and Extraverted on another occasion – or visa versa.

As noted above, a natural Extravert may measure as Introverted when he or she has been living for some years in a state of heightened anxiety. Prior to this period of stress and anxiety, the person may well measure as an Extravert. Subsequent to the onset of this period of stress / anxiety, the person may well measure Introverted. And yet, again, when the source of stress and anxiety has been resolved, the person might be tested again and be found to be once more Extraverted.

5. Why do Extraverts and Introverts need to take their Extraversion / Introversion into account when seeking or designing a comfortable place to work?

Extraverts may be given a job that matches their natural lead function, but which is generally done in an isolated or subdued environment. When this happens, the Extravert will attempt to remedy the "problem" he senses internally as he notices he has difficulty focusing and or is falling asleep. He or she will adjust their environment so that they feel and actually are alert. They could do this by: 1) leaving their place of work for an area in which there is more happening – where there are other people talking or where there is more noise in general; or 2) increasing the noise / stimulation level where they work, by turning on a radio or if there are any other people working in the same area, starting to talk to these people.

Similarly, Introverts may be given a job that matches their natural lead function, but which is generally done in the midst of lots of "action" or in an environment which is in some other way intensely stimulating: because there is a fire, or a crisis, for example. When this happens, the Introvert will attempt to remedy the "problem" he senses internally as he notices he has difficulty concentrating and to some extent is feeling overwhelmed by what is going on around him. He or she will adjust their environment so that they feel and actually are comfortable and once again able to focus. They could do this by: 1) leaving their place of work for an area in which there is less happening – where there are fewer people talking or where there is very little noise; or 2) decreasing the noise / stimulation level where they work, by closing their office door, wearing ear-plugs, or if there are any other people working in the same area, asking them to not talk so much / so loudly – or go somewhere else to talk.

By contrast, those which Eysenck identifies as having a Balanced arousal level, have an easier time when trying to assure their own peak performance. While at work they may "adjust" to satisfy their employer, or their own drive to be successful, so that can work in an Extraverted, Balanced or Introverted environment. The difficulty is that if they adjust at work to perform a job which is more Extraverted, they will use the evening to achieve Balance – by Introverting, which may mean they do not spend much time or energy with their spouse or children, or dating for that matter. By contrast, if they adjust at work to do a job that is more Introverted, the person will use the evening to achieve Balance by Extraverting – partying, dancing etc.

So we see, bringing neuroscience to bear on Jung’s model can enhance our appreciation for Jung’s model while, at the same time, helping us to apply his model with greater sensitivity and accuracy.

Bibliography on Extraversion / Introversion

For those wishing to read more in-depth and technical sources, the following bibliography is recommended.

Aron, Elaine W. The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You. Birch Lane Press, 1996.

Eysenck, Hans J. A Model of Personality. Springer-Verlag. Berlin 1981

Hafen, Brent Q. Mind/Body Health: The Effects of Attitudes, Emotions and Relationships. Simon & Schuster / Allyn & Bacon 1996.

Justice, Blair, Ph.D. Who Gets Sick: How Beliefs, Moods and Thoughts Affect Your Health. Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc. Los Angeles, 1987.

Konner, Melvin. The Tangled Wing: Biological Constraints on the Human Spirit. Holt Reinhart & Winston. New York 1982.

Loye, David. The Sphinx and the Rainbow: Brain Mind and Future Vision. New Science Library / Shambhala. London & Boulder. 1983.

Schlain, Leonard. The Alphabet Versus the Goddess: The Conflict Between Word and Image. Viking. New York 1998.

Totora, Gerald J. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology 7th edition. Harper Collins. 1992.

Prepared by Katherine Benziger, Ph.D. For the course "The Physiological Bases of Type and Extraversion/Introversion"Offered by: www.cgjungpage.org
© March 1998; September 1999