Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026

Evaluating Flight Performance and Eye Movement Patterns Using Virtual Reality Flight Simulator
Published on: May 19, 2023
Personality traits of people attracted by parabolic flight
Aurélie Collado1, Vincent Monfort1, Jean-Philippe Hainaut1
1Université de Lorraine, Metz, France.
Background:
Studies have shown that members of expeditions in extreme environments differed on the basis of personality factors (e.g., they were highly competitive, higher on Extraversion and Conscientiousness) compared to the control population. In order to identify individuals who are likely to participate in extreme environments, the aim of the present study using parabolic flights was to compare the personality traits of voluntary participants (VP) in a weightlessness experiment with those of the general population (GP) (French norms).
Methods:
The personalities of 57 voluntary participants in a parabolic flights experiment were assessed using NEO-PI-R and Trait-Anxiety.
Results:
Our results show significant differences with the general population: (1) in Trait-Anxiety (GP = 42.25 +/- 11.44 vs. VP = 34.56 +/- 6.24) and in 3 out of 5 personality domains (Neuroticism GP = 90.04 +/- 22.68 vs. VP = 78.70 +/- 17.44, +/- 18.87 vs. VP = 123.81 +/- 15.41, and Conscientiousness GP = 109.23 +/- 22.30 vs. VP = 124.47 + 19.03); and (2) in 14 out of 30 NEO-PI-R facets.
Discussion:
These findings indicate a specific personality profile for voluntary participants in parabolic flights and confirm that participants attracted to extreme environments differ compared to the normative population.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Influencing Attraction VI: Personality Traits
Personality Theory by Eysenck and Eysenck
In the extroversion/introversion dimension, highly extroverted people are sociable, outgoing, and easily connect with others. In contrast,...
Relationship Formation
Absolute Motion Analysis- General Plane Motion
As the drone's propellers rotate, an upward force is generated that counteracts the force of gravity, enabling the drone to lift off from the ground. This initial movement of the drone is along a straight path, representing a form of translational motion. In this phase, every point on the...
Parabolas
Reflective Property of Parabolas

