Extroverts 'more creative'

OUTGOING people in a good mood are more creative than those who keep themselves to themselves, a study has revealed.

University of Portsmouth psychologist Lorenzo Stafford discovered that extrovert people in a good mood are the most creative thinkers because they have more of the "happiness chemical" dopamine. But introverts are no more creative whether they are in a good or neutral mood.

Dr Stafford said his results showed personality and mood play a vital role in creativity.

He said: "The more outgoing a person is, the more active their dopamine system is and a positive mood increases dopamine activity even further in many parts of the brain.

"It is the combination of the extrovert personality-type in a positive mood which encourages more creative performance, and not positive mood alone."

The research was published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.