There's another thread here that seems to be trying to get at a personality profile of lightweight backpackers, but instead it really seems to be a demographic sketch. Rather than add on to an old thread, I believe it would be better to offer a real, free online Personality Test. I hope this is helpful in getting us a true personality profile for UL backpackers here on this forum.

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

The test has just 72, quick yes/no questions. The site describes the test as follows:

"After completing the questionnaire, you will obtain:

"1)Your type formula according to Carl Jung and Isabel Myers-Briggs typology along with the strengths of the preferences

"2)The description of your personality type; and

"3)The list of occupations and educational institutions where you can get relevant degree or training, most suitable for your personality type - Jung Career Indicator."

Again, I hope this tool is useful.

-vino vampire-

Your Type is
ENFJ

Extraverted - 89%
Intuitive - 38%
Feeling - 25%
Judging - 50%

Idealist Portrait of the Teacher (ENFJ)
Even more than the other Idealists, Teachers have a natural talent for leading students or trainees toward learning, or as Idealists like to think of it, they are capable of calling forth each learner's potentials. Teachers (around two percent of the population) are able - effortlessly, it seems, and almost endlessly-to dream up fascinating learning activities for their students to engage in. In some Teachers, this ability to fire the imagination can amount to a kind of genius which other types find hard to emulate. But perhaps their greatest strength lies in their belief in their students. Teachers look for the best in their students, and communicate clearly that each one has untold potential, and this confidence can inspire their students to grow and develop more than they ever thought possible.

http://keirsey.com/handler.aspxs=keirsey&f=fourtemps&tab=3&c=teacher

Oh hell.....I'm apparently one of those INTJs.

Introverted - 22%
Intuitive - 38%
Thinking - 62%
Judging - 22%

Edited by skinewmexico on 12/23/2008 15:31:57 MST.

INTJ

I - 22%
N - 62%
T - 12%
J - 11%

Thinking from my other post - based on the number of INTJ's in the prior survey - 64% (7 out of 11) were INTJ and yet the general population contains only 3.5% INTJ. Is there is any correlation with lightweight backpacking, and do traditional backpackers differ?

Edited by ChrisMorgan on 12/23/2008 14:01:52 MST.

I am an ESTJ.
Famous ESTJ - George W. Bush.

Now I am just depressed...

Bastian (The Neverending Story),
I'm not even real. If I'm not real than I'm not really here and your not really reading this. I THINK I'M IMPLODING :(

Ben, Cheer Up! It's a personality test not an IQ test...you should be fine.


--------------
I am an ESTJ.
Famous ESTJ - George W. Bush.

Now I am just depressed...

INFJ

Introverted - 78%
Intution - 62%
Feeling - 50%
Judging - 44%

Edited by simplespirit on 12/23/2008 17:32:42 MST.

Thomas,

Thanks for putting this thread up.

You are right....in my thread, it really was about demographics vs. personality profile.

Great link that you had to this personality test.

I am:

INTJ

INTROVERTED: 33% (this is funny as I am in sales)
INTUITIVE: 6%
THINKING: 38%
JUDGING: 22%

*Note: I re-took the test after realizing that I failed to answer a few questions on the exam.

**********************************************************

Christopher,

Yes, I do think that there is something fundamentally different about BPLer's vs. traditional backpackers that will show up in the personality profiles.

I was hoping to see some sort of pattern with the thread that I posted, but using demographic data.

The major difference, on an emotional level, is passion and desire to take the leisure & recreation to another level. (Not better, just different).

Going light can be about comfort, but I am betting that there is an element of wanting to push the phsyical limits and higher mileage.

If you think about it, going lightweight/UL requires a detailed review/analyst of your gear to think ahead to what you might or might not need. To carefully consider everything in advance of the conditions that you might face and to adjust your kit.

For me, I can confess a desire for high mileage and pushing, more than a healthy dose of obsessive/compulsive behavior, and an anal retentiveness to organize my gear out to the last 0.5 ounce....all with the passion and desire to get out on the trail and see more and go to places that most regular people will never see.

-Tony

Edited by Valshar on 12/23/2008 19:59:15 MST.

Your Type is ISTJ
Introverted 78
Sensing 1
Thinking 75
Judging 44

I only wish that my numbers weren't so extremely skewed when I take this type of test.

Famous ISTJs:

Thomas (Christ's disciple)

U.S. Presidents:
George Washington
Andrew Johnson
Benjamin Harrison
Herbert Hoover
George H. W. Bush

Edited by Quoddy on 12/23/2008 15:32:43 MST.

I - 56
S - 1
T - 50
J - 39

I also am in sales.

John Haley:

Your Type is ISTJ
Sensing 1
Famous ISTJs: Thomas (Christ's disciple)


Hahaha... Jesus said to sensing-challenged Thomas, "Look here, Tom, just listen, OK now just put your finger in H-E-R-E! Yes, it's really ME! Got it finally? Sheesh! (rolling eyes)."

Edited by ben2world on 12/23/2008 16:49:34 MST.

Wow. If Thomas took it, it must be a really old test.

INTP

Ben there done that!!

INTP

Introverted 100%
Intuitive 38%
Thinking 38%
Perceiving 67%

Well, I knew I was shy and like to be alone, but I guess that confirms it.

INTJ

Introverted 56
Intuitive 50
Thinking 25
Judging 44

Ben,
You could always go back and retake the test. ;}

EFSJ

I believe that.

And I am too in sales

Tom wrote, "Ben, you could always go back and retake the test".

Absolutely not. We have the truth and we will stick to our course, persevere, and win! No short cuts, no cut and run!

Not to worry, Ben, I'll take care of the cutting and running. Especially when the bear shows up. :-))