Introversion and working memory: central executive differences

The relationship between introversion and working memory was tested. Prior studies have either not focused directly on working memory or have focused only on the storage component of working memory. Neuroanatomical and neuroc hemical relationships between dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the reticu lar formation suggest that the executive component of working memory is the most likely to differ across introverts and extraverts. Using Sternberg's [Sternberg, S. (1975). Memory scanning: new findings and current controvers ies, Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 27, 1-32.] memory scanni ng paradigm, which taps the central executive component of working memory, results indicate that introverts are slower than extraverts in comparing th e contents of working memory to an external target. Social psychological co nsequences of this central executive difference in working memory are discu ssed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.