Studies: Introverts prefer mountains

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Introverts prefer mountains
Date: February 27, 2015
Source: Society for Personality and Social Psychology

In a series of three studies, researchers tested whether there is a link between personality and an aspect of physical ecology: flat terrain versus mountainous terrain. The study found that only one of the Big Five personality traits predicted terrain preference--extraversion.

Participants perceived wooded/secluded terrain to be calmer, quieter and more peaceful. In contrast, participants in the flat/open condition perceived the terrain to be more sociable, exciting and stimulating. The study found that when people want to socialize with others, they prefer the ocean far more (75%) than mountains (25%). In contrast, when they want to be alone, they choose mountains (52%) as much as the ocean (48%).

Results of the study also showed that introverts tend to live in mountainous regions, while extroverts live in open and flat regions. The researchers caution that there is no evidence mountains make people introverted, but rather, introverts tend to choose mountainous geography because of the secluded environment.

Society for Personality and Social Psychology. "Introverts prefer mountains." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 27 February 2015. < www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150227181329.htm >.