Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
10:45
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions
Published on: July 6, 2011
11.6K
Extraversion and the Brain: A Coordinate-Based Meta-Analysis of Functional Brain Imaging Studies on Positive Affect
Qianqian Tian1,2, Qingyuan Li3, Han Lai4
1School of Teacher Education, Dali University, Dali, China.
Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine
|January 29, 2025
Summary
This meta-analysis reveals that higher extraversion correlates with increased brain activity in specific regions during positive emotions. Sex influences the relationship between extraversion and brain activity in the right insula.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Personality Science
Background:
- Extraversion is a key personality trait influencing health and well-being.
- Previous neuroimaging studies on extraversion show inconsistent results.
- Understanding the neural correlates of extraversion is crucial for mental health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging studies on extraversion.
- To identify consistent brain activity patterns associated with extraversion during positive affect.
- To explore demographic moderators like sex and age.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, etc.).
- Meta-analysis using anisotropic effect-size seed-based d mapping.
- Jackknife sensitivity and meta-regression analyses to assess reliability and demographic effects.
Main Results:
- Positive correlation between extraversion and activation in the right inferior frontal gyrus/insula, right angular gyrus, and left precentral gyrus.
- Negative association between extraversion and right striatum activation during positive affect.
- Sex identified as a moderator for the association between extraversion and right insular activation.
Conclusions:
- This study provides a comprehensive overview of functional brain activation patterns linked to extraversion.
- Findings may aid in developing targeted interventions for extraversion-related conditions.
- Highlights the role of specific brain regions in extraversion and emotional processing.
Related Concept Videos
02:34Empathy
Some researchers suggest that altruism operates on empathy. Empathy is the capacity to understand another person’s perspective, to feel what he or she feels. An empathetic person makes an emotional connection with others and feels compelled to help (Batson, 1991). Empathy can be expressed in several ways, including cognitive, affective, and motor.
01:15Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System
The limbic system, often called the "emotional brain," is a complex set of structures located deep within the brain. The intricate network of the limbic system supports a wide range of psychological functions, from emotional regulation to memory formation and sensory processing. This functional brain region encompasses specific parts of the diencephalon and the cerebrum, integrating the higher mental functions of the cerebral cortex with the primitive emotional responses of the deep brain...
01:14Brain Imaging
Brain imaging technologies provide critical insights into both the structure and function of the human brain, enabling medical professionals and researchers to diagnose, study, and treat neurological disorders or psychiatric disorders more effectively.
These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
01:22Traits, Mood, and Subjective Wellbeing
Subjective well-being (SWB) refers to an individual's self-evaluation of their overall life satisfaction, happiness, and fulfillment. This multifaceted construct is typically assessed by analyzing the balance of positive and negative emotions alongside perceptions of life satisfaction. Personality traits such as neuroticism and extraversion are strongly associated with variations in SWB, offering critical insights into the underlying mechanisms of emotional well-being.
Neuroticism and Emotional...
Neuroticism and Emotional...
01:29The Influence of Affect on Cognition
Positive affect significantly influences cognitive processes, including evaluation, memory, creativity, and social judgments. Compared to negative affect, positive emotional states promote more favorable interpretations of stimuli, cognitive flexibility, and heuristic processing. These effects highlight emotions' powerful role in shaping how individuals perceive, remember, and interact with the world.Influence on Evaluation and AttributionWhen individuals experience positive affect, they are...
01:29The Influence of Cognition on Affect
Cognition plays a pivotal role in shaping emotional experiences, as demonstrated by Schachter and Singer’s two-factor theory of emotion. According to this model, emotion arises from a combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. The body’s physiological response to stimuli is ambiguous and only gains emotional significance through cognitive labeling. For instance, an increased heart rate and adrenaline surge while standing near an attractive person may be interpreted as...