The Mountain Environment as a Psychological Determinant in the Formation of Human Personality: A Case Study of the Chelia Region in Algeria.

Abstract

The mountainous region of Chelia, located in the Aurès Mountains in Khenchela Province, is one of the geographical areas renowned for its high peak, the resistance of its inhabitants to French colonial aggression, and the distinctive personality traits of its people, which set them apart from those of other regions of Algeria in general, and even from other inhabitants of Khenchela Province in particular.

Does culture play a role in shaping the personality traits of its inhabitants, or has the mountainous environment itself delineated the boundaries of these unique characteristics? To explore this issue, the present exploratory study examines the personality traits of these individuals through a case study using the “Rorschach Test” to identify their projective productions and psychological functioning, basic personality structure, the nature of their projections, defense mechanisms, conflicts, and psychological contents. In addition, “Cattell’s Personality Questionnaire” was employed to determine the most prominent personality traits characterizing them.

The current study addresses the following research question: “What are the nature and characteristics of the personality of the mountain-dwelling individual residing in the mountainous region of Chelia in the Aurès Mountains of Khenchela Province?”