نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی

عنوان مقاله English

An Analysis of Religious Personality Typology: A Research Synthesis Approach

نویسندگان English

کلیدواژه‌ها English

Extended Abstract

1. Problem Statement

The subject of this article is religious typology, which can be examined as an interdisciplinary study of religious personality. Such studies have largely been conducted from the perspectives of theology and religious studies, yet they can also be analyzed through the framework of personality typology, thereby opening new perspectives on religious and spiritual personalities. Given that the present research adopts a research synthesis approach, it is essential to present the themes employed in the existing studies. From an analytical standpoint, the extracted components and categories are also of significant importance, as they contribute to the construction of a conceptual model.

This article focuses on the domain of religious personalities and examines studies within Persian-language scholarship that address the typology of religious personalities. This research aims to propose a structural framework for religious typology that can serve as a coherent model for such classifications. Accordingly, the research question is formulated as follows: Through what structure and dimensions can religious typology be systematically formulated?

The study seeks to determine how religious typology has been addressed in Persian-language scholarship and what characteristics these typologies possess. It also aims to categorize the models that these studies have followed and to present a unified formulation of them. Discussions concerning the classification of religious personality types are currently dispersed across various works; however, through a synthesizing study, they can be integrated into a coherent framework and presented in an overall schema. Therefore, the present research seeks to outline a model of religious typology in Persian-language studies while also examining discussions related to the typology of religious personalities.

2. Method

This research is a qualitative study aimed at formulating the characteristics and patterns of religious typology. Qualitative research can be conducted through various approaches; in this study, a research synthesis approach has been adopted.

The inclusion criteria were defined to encompass all Persian-language articles and sources indexed in the databases Noormags, IranDoc, and Civilica, without temporal limitation. During the search stage, a variety of keywords within the domains of personality psychology and typology were used, resulting in 1,593 records.

In the subsequent stage, these sources were screened by examining titles related to personality analysis and personality studies in religious contexts, as well as analyses of religious figures. The screening proceeded through the titles, then the abstracts, and finally the full texts of the articles. After removing duplicates and irrelevant sources, 10 final sources were selected as the core studies for this research.

To extract the characteristics of the proposed model, the selected sources were examined to identify key concepts. These concepts were then organized, categories were extracted, and overarching concepts were subsequently derived. Data were obtained through qualitative content analysis and structured at three levels: primary concepts,

organizing concepts or categories, and overarching themes.

Where necessary, intermediate concepts that contributed to the organization of categories were also incorporated. The data extraction stage yielded numerous findings, resulting in extensive tables that are not presented here. Instead, in the evaluation stage, the axes of analysis are separated and presented in a structured and integrated manner.

3. Findings and Results

The findings derived from evaluating the studies—regarding the characteristics of typologies and related discussions—were synthesized into an integrated framework. The results are presented across five analytical axes, based on which a pentagonal framework for religious personality typology is proposed.

1. Application of Psychological Personality Types to Religious Figures

Several established psychological personality typologies exist; among them, two models have received particular attention in the reviewed studies: the MBTI model and the Enneagram model. Evidence for attributing personality types is typically extracted from textual sources. Methodologically, this process relies on content analysis, although this is not always explicitly stated in the studies themselves. This approach could be further developed to include thematic analysis and discourse analysis, thereby enabling a more systematic methodological design.

2. Designing and Analyzing Classification Models of Religious Types

This form of typology constitutes an independent typology derived directly from religious sources, distinguishing it from the first type. In these sources, models of typology are proposed based on the classification of attributes and characteristics. Given the doctrinal nature of religion, such classification is primarily centered on belief and creed, leading to the well-known tripartite classification of believer (muʾmin), unbeliever (kāfir), and hypocrite (munāfiq). However, an important question remains as to whether such classifications can provide stable axes capable of psychological application. Clearly, these typologies are meaningful primarily within contexts where individuals accept the foundational doctrines of religion and where these concepts belong to their semantic framework.

3. Analysis of Religious Typology Derived from the Qur’anic Text

The classification derived from the Qur’anic text, which continues the previous axis of typology based on religious sources, may be referred to as Qur’anic typology. This typology includes the triad of believer, unbeliever, and hypocrite. However, from an analytical perspective, a more adequate classification would move beyond these three categories and instead conceptualize them as part of a spectrum, with faith at one pole and disbelief at the other, taking into account the various (degrees) between them. Within this spectrum, different categories—such as hypocrisy and transgression—would occupy intermediate positions.

4. Application of Religious Typology to Different Personalities

Once religious or Qur’anic typologies are established, they can be applied to analyze various personalities. In the studies examined, such typologies have been applied to cinematic characters as well as prominent figures such as Martyr Dr. Mostafa Chamran. The practical application of these typologies can serve as a test of their effectiveness, and in many cases can contribute to their refinement and development. However, research in this area remains limited, and a major challenge lies in the conceptual issues discussed in the previous axis, which require further scrutiny.

5. Comparative Analysis of Psychological Typologies with Religious Sources, Especially the Qur’an

Psychological classifications or typologies can be compared—and in some cases aligned—with religious sources. The extent to which such comparisons are valid depends on the methodological framework employed. Rather than insisting on complete correspondence, it is more appropriate to design a comparative model that identifies points of convergence and divergence and analyzes them accordingly.

4. Conclusion

Several shortcomings are evident in the existing studies. The primary limitation concerns methodology, as most works have not engaged in a substantive methodological examination of the issue. A more fundamental approach should address the methodological and ontological dimensions, particularly the questions of what, why, and how regarding religious typology. The feasibility of religious typology must be examined and its limitations clearly defined, which itself constitutes a fundamental conceptual issue.

In developing religious classifications, attention can be given to various dimensions of religion, including doctrinal, devotional, experiential, ritual, social, ethical, and legal dimensions. Each of these dimensions can play an important role in defining the axes of classification and in generating diverse typological models. When comparing religious classifications with psychological typologies, these dimensions must be carefully considered. Moreover, comprehensive religious personalities, who embody all these dimensions and are regarded as integrative figures, may transcend conventional psychological classifications and thus require particular attention.

4. Acknowledgement & Funding

The manuscript did not receive a grant from any organization.

5. Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

6. Author Contribution

All authors share equal responsibility for the content of this paper.

Ebrahim Arkani; Email: e.arkani@gmail.com

Seyed Mohammad Kazem Alavi; Email: smk.alavi@hsu.ac.ir; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4117-8836