Everyone travels in their own way.
In fact, if we all went to the same place, we would have quite different experiences, and our opinions would be the most varied. So, where does this difference come from?
As human beings, we are very similar to each other, and yet, each one of us is simply unique. This depends on our own personality.
To sum up, “personality” is the set of stable and coherent traits that allows us to be, to get to know, to feel, to project as well as to interact with the World and the Others.
Our nature is based on some characteristics that shape our individuality since childhood. On the contrary, time and life events are the one shaping and defining our personality. The latter slowly adapts our inner needs to the external ones, becoming more and more definied, and influencing the way we choose and experience a journey,
The Big 5 Theory is the most accredited theory within the scientific and psychological sector.
According to this theory, there are 5 traits, each one of them being a bidimensional construct – a continuum from a positive to a negative pole – containing some personological characteristics.
Briefly, we all are a combination of these 5 traits, defining our uniquess and our personality as travellers.
(Adjusted picture from StockSnap)
A high score in open-mindedness indicates curiosity, interest in new experiences and in complex realities. It also indicates independence from judgment. Consequently, this traveller will be open to new cultures, inclined to choose original, unknown and adventurous destinations, to immerge into the local population, free of judgment and intolerance.
On the contrary, those who obtain lower scores, are conformist, pragmatic and conventional. Therefore, standard, familiar and practical experiences are more interesting to them.
This trait evaluates the tendency of expressing positive emotions and keeping a stable mood.
On the one hand, it describes a chill, self-confident, resilient person, with a high self-knowledge. Therefore, it defines travelers who know their tastes, who trust their gut, who use their own emotions as a compass. These travelers will be tenacious when facing unexpected events, because they see opportunities for personal growth.
On the other hand, we have an anxious and hypocondriac person, lacking of self-confidence with a low self-esteem and the tendency of feeling negative emotions. This type of traveler is scared, careful, always looking for external confirmations, and hardly able to leave for a solo travel.
Briefly: the relationship trait.
A high score indicates an empathic, compassionate, kind and collaborative person. A traveller ready to get into the local life, get closer and get moved. No matter where, this traveler will always be interested in the most human dimension of the place.
On the contrary, the opposite pole indicates a cynic and selfish person, a traveller not interested into the local reality, but into the fulfillment of one’s personal needs.
(Adjusted photo from tookapic)
It evaluates the interaction ability, otherwise the pleasure felt when in contact with other people.
A high score describes a sociable person, available, loquacious and interested in having fun. Therefore, a traveler more focused in destinations where to know new people, chill and make new friends, without the fear of getting out there.
Instead, a low score indicates a reserved person, quiet and simple, more focused on the inner world. This type of traveller will feel more comfortable in quieter, more private, meditative and less chaotic places.
It evaluates the ability of self-regulation as well as of self-control.
A person with a high score in conscientiousness, is organized, focused on reaching the established goals, trustworthy and scrupulous. For instance, these travellers love to be well-informed about a place. They are the ideal guide of a group, directing resources and efforts for a successful journey.
On the opposite pole, we will find a messy, lazy and moody person, more inclined in being guided and in reaching comfortable places, without a real interest in the cultural, social and political situation.
(Adjusted photo by Syaibatul Hamdi)
Absolutely not.
To just focus on these traits combination in order to understand a journey style, is sterile and reductive. In fact, these five traits help understanding the inclination we have towards some places or experiences, but they will not clarify the psychological process beneath the choice.
We choose how to travel based on our inclination, motivation to leave, our demographic characteristics, the image we have of the place and of ourselves.
Moreover, the tipical peculiarities of a place add up to the way we travel and the destination we choose: from the attractions to the experiences the place offers, from the political situation to the seasons and, of course, the prices.
Casablanca, Morocco
Our own personality influences our “traveller personality”, which can be more or less bold, self-confident, organized, hardened and easy to be moved. All of these characteristics will influence our destinations as well as our ways of traveling.
However, nothing forbids us from shaping our personality and softening the traits we feel too tight. For instance, we can choose different destinations from our ideal ones, even unusual experiences or types of travel we would never have considered. At the end, this will make us discover new sides of ourselves.
A journey is the best time to discover new sides of our personality, usually hidden by our daily life
Jani, D. (2014). Big five personality factors and travel curiosity: are they related?. Anatolia, 25(3), 444-456.
Qiu, R. T., Masiero, L., & Li, G. (2018). The psychological process of travel destination choice. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 35(6), 691-705.
Una psicologa con la valigia sempre in mano.
Benvenuti nel blog di Psicologia del viaggio.
Una psicologa con la valigia sempre in mano.
Benvenuti nel blog di Psicologia del viaggio.
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![[La diversità come pratica quotidiana]
Viaggiare è un elogio alla diversità.
•
Le differenze fanno paura e viaggiare insegna ad avvicinarci, a conoscere quei timori, a scoprire che quelle differenze non sono poi così pericolose, bensì fonte di confronto e di crescita.
•
Perché quando viaggiamo siamo noi “i diversi“: ci ritroviamo immersi in un altro Mondo fatto di altri colori, altri comportamenti, altre regole, altre lingue, altri abiti. E ci ritroviamo ad ascoltare le nostre paure, ad affrontare quelle differenze, a cercare di comprendere quella diversità.
•
Perché solo quando la nostra visione si scontra con quella di un’altra persona possiamo accorgerci di quanto il nostro modo di pensare e di vivere sia limitato e specifico ad un piccolo contesto.
Tanto piccolo.
Mentre il Mondo è grande.
Tanto grande.
.
Penso che dovremmo praticare la diversità ogni giorno 🌏
#empathy #empatia #elogioalladiversità #carlrogers #travelpsychology #quoteoftheday #psicologiadelviaggio #psicologiapositiva #frasichefannobene #empowermentquotes](https://travelpsych.world/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)