Why am I an introvert?

Why am I an introvert?

From CrowdScience by BBC World Service

May 22, 2026 · 26 min

About this episode

The episode explores the nature of introversion and extroversion through the experiences of a listener named Daniel.

CrowdScience listener Daniel in Accra, Ghana is an introvert. Or at least, he thinks he is. And he’s worried that his preference for quiet spaces and lower social interaction might be holding him back in life. But what is introversion really? How do introverts and extroverts see the world differently? And is it better to be one or the other? Presenter Alex Lathbridge spends his working days talking to interesting people like Daniel. He loves meeting people, and talking to them too, yet he also thinks that deep down, he might be an introvert. To understand how and why people come to be introverted or extraverted, and what’s happening in the brain, he pays a visit to neuroscientist Dr Thomas Tagoe from the University of Ghana Medical school, for a peek inside the mind. Turns out, introverts aren’t shy, and definitely aren’t anti-social either, despite what people might assume. The difference is more about how we process stimulation, and at what point we find it all a bit too much to process. Although sometimes it might feel like the world is built for the extraverts out there, Thomas offers some reassurance. There are huge benefits to being introverted too, and there’s room in the…

People in this episode

Host: Alex Lathbridge

Guest: Daniel

Topics covered

  • introversion
  • extroversion
  • neuroscience
  • personality types
  • workplace dynamics

Keywords

  • introvert
  • extrovert
  • neuroscience
  • social interaction
  • personality

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Ghana Medical school

Places: Accra, Ghana

More episodes of CrowdScience

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the CrowdScience podcast page.