Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
04:48
Tracking Individual Running Metrics in Mice Using a Voluntary Wheel Running Protocol that Minimizes Social Isolation
Published on: April 18, 2025
Personality attributes of ultramarathoners
1Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, Virginia 22003, USA.
Journal of Personality Assessment
|April 1, 1983
Summary
Ultramarathon runners did not differ in personality from other runners or nonrunners. However, experienced ultramarathoners showed greater skepticism about human nature compared to less experienced runners.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sports Science
- Human Behavior
Background:
- Understanding the psychological profiles of extreme endurance athletes is crucial.
- Previous research has not fully explored the personality traits of ultramarathoners in comparison to other athletic groups and non-athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate personality differences among ultramarathoners, non-ultramarathon runners, and nonrunners.
- To examine the relationship between experience in ultramarathon running and specific psychological characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Self-Motivation Inventory (SMI) and four subscales from the Philosophies of Human Nature.
- Administered surveys to 50 male ultramarathoners matched for age and sex with control groups of novice runners and nonrunners.
Main Results:
- No significant overall personality differences were found between the three groups (ultramarathoners, novice runners, nonrunners).
- A significant difference emerged in skepticism: experienced ultramarathoners exhibited higher levels of skepticism regarding human nature compared to less experienced ultramarathoners.
Conclusions:
- Running extreme distances like ultramarathons does not appear to be associated with distinct personality types compared to general populations.
- Increased experience in ultramarathon running may correlate with a more skeptical outlook on the inherent goodness of human nature.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Dark Triad and Person Perception
Person perception is influenced by both external behaviors and the observer’s internal characteristics, including personality traits. Individuals with dark personality traits, comprising psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism — collectively known as the dark triad – exhibit manipulative and exploitative tendencies in social contexts. These traits affect how they perceive others and how they are perceived.The Role of Dark Personality Traits in Person PerceptionBlack et al. (2014) explored...
01:29Personality Theory by Eysenck and Eysenck
Hans and Sybil Eysenck developed a widely recognized theory of personality, which emphasizes the role of temperament and genetically based differences in shaping individual traits. Their theory posits that biological factors primarily determine personality and can be understood through two main dimensions: extroversion/introversion and neuroticism/stability.
In the extroversion/introversion dimension, highly extroverted people are sociable, outgoing, and easily connect with others. In contrast,...
In the extroversion/introversion dimension, highly extroverted people are sociable, outgoing, and easily connect with others. In contrast,...
01:20Trait Theory by Gordon Allport
Gordon Allport, often regarded as the father of American personality psychology, developed a theory that emphasized the importance of understanding people in their present lives rather than focusing on their past, as psychoanalysis did. Allport believed that personality should be studied in healthy, well-adjusted individuals rather than those with psychological problems. He was particularly interested in defining traits, which he saw as fundamental mental structures that guide behavior across...
01:23Factors Influencing Attraction VI: Personality Traits
Personality traits are fundamental in shaping social perception and influencing interpersonal relationships. Certain traits, such as agreeableness and extraversion, contribute positively to social interactions, whereas others, such as narcissism, have complex and often contradictory effects on how individuals are perceived over time.The Role of Agreeableness and ExtraversionAgreeableness and extraversion are associated with higher levels of interpersonal attractiveness and likability.
01:29Five-Factor Theory of Personality
The five-factor model, often called the Big Five personality traits, is widely accepted in psychology as a comprehensive framework for understanding personality. These five traits — Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism — are often remembered using the acronym OCEAN.
Openness reflects creativity, curiosity, and openness to new experiences. Individuals scoring high in openness are imaginative, have a wide range of interests, and are independent thinkers. Low...
Openness reflects creativity, curiosity, and openness to new experiences. Individuals scoring high in openness are imaginative, have a wide range of interests, and are independent thinkers. Low...
01:26Desirable Characteristics in Others
Various factors, including the type of relationship, gender, and duration of the relationship, influence the perception of desirable characteristics in others. While certain traits such as trustworthiness, cooperativeness, agreeableness, and extraversion are universally valued across all relationships, other characteristics are context-dependent and gain prominence based on specific relational dynamics.Universal and Context-Dependent TraitsTrustworthiness and cooperativeness are fundamental...