Historical Studies

Historical Studies

Analysis of the personality of Mohammad Ali Mirza Dowlatshah based on the theory of Karen Horney

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Farzad Khoshab 1
Morad Abdivarmazan 2
1 PhD of Iran History After Islam, Lorestan University, Khorram Abad, Iran
2 Assistant Professor of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
10.30465/hcs.2025.50175.2988
Abstract
Abstract
Understanding the personality of influential and political people is effective in understanding their actions, events and decisions. This research was conducted with the aim of psychological analysis of the personality of Mohammad Ali Mirza Dowlatshah, the Qajar prince, based on the personality theory of Karen Horney, a German psychologist. He was one of the Qajar princes and the ruler of Kermanshah, Lorestan and Khuzestan. During his rule, he has performed significant services and actions. The method used to conduct this research was the library method. In this research, the role of childhood conditions and events experienced by Mohammad Ali Mirza Dowlatshah in the formation of his personality has been investigated. Also, his actions and behaviors and personality traits have been explained based on the psychological needs emphasized by Horney. According to the findings of this research, the distance between the real self and the ideal self, as well as the need for power, exploitation, admiration, success, social and prestige status, perfectionism and independence explain the behaviors and actions of Mohammad Ali Mirza Dowlatshah.
Keywords: Mohammad Ali Mirza Dowlatshah, personality psychology, neurotic needs, actual self and ideal self, Karen Horney.
 
Introduction
The personalities of influential figures in history, especially in politics, significantly shape the events that unfold. One such figure is Mohammad Ali Mirza Dowlatshah, the eldest son of Fath Ali Shah Qajar. Throughout his childhood and youth, he faced numerous challenges, including social and familial discrimination. Growing up in a tense and unstable environment deeply impacted his character and future behaviors. This research aims to delve into his psychological profile, exploring how his early experiences influenced his actions and decisions, all while drawing insights from Horney’s psychological theories.
 
Materials and Methods
To conduct this study, we took a library-based approach, utilizing a variety of historical sources, travelogues, and contemporary texts. We gathered and analyzed data qualitatively, focusing on Horney’s theories. This approach allows us to explore Mohammad Ali Mirza’s emotional and social experiences and understand how they shaped his behaviors. Our resources include historical books, scholarly articles, and documents from the Qajar period, all of which contribute to a nuanced understanding of Mohammad Ali Mirza’s personality.
 
Discussion and Conclusion
Karen Horney’s theory highlights the crucial role of childhood and the fundamental anxieties that arise from emotional and social insecurities. Horney argues that children raised in unsafe and hostile environments develop a fundamental anxiety, which can lead to psychological disorders and maladaptive behaviors in adulthood. She describes this anxiety as a feeling of loneliness and helplessness in a harsh world.
Horney also identifies specific needs that emerge as responses to this anxiety, which often manifest excessively in individuals struggling with emotional distress. She categorizes these needs into three main types:
Moving Toward Others: Here, individuals seek security by gaining love and approval from those around them. This need is particularly evident in personalities that heavily rely on affection and validation.
Moving Against Others: This category includes individuals who adopt aggressive and violent behaviors to assert power and dominance over others. They view the world as a hostile place and strive to secure their safety through strength and control.
Moving Away from Others: Individuals in this group seek isolation and distance from social interactions, attempting to protect themselves from emotional harm by avoiding dependency on others.
In the case of Mohammad Ali Mirza, our research reveals that the fundamental anxiety stemming from familial and social discrimination—particularly regarding succession and the lack of access to the title of crown prince—led to the development of needs for power, admiration, and perfectionism. These needs acted as motivating forces behind his behaviors, which included violence, competition, and a relentless pursuit of power and social status.
In his quest to compensate for feelings of insecurity and humiliation related to his maternal lineage and the absence of the crown prince title, Mohammad Ali Mirza resorted to competitive and often aggressive behaviors. These tendencies were evident not only in his political and military pursuits but also in his social development initiatives. He aimed to enhance his social standing and acceptance by establishing public welfare projects and ensuring the safety of the regions he governed.
 
Conclusion
This research sheds light on the complex personality of Mohammad Ali Mirza and the lasting impact of his childhood experiences on his behaviors. By analyzing historical figures through the lens of psychological theories, we can gain a deeper understanding of the psychological processes that shape history and their influence on political and social events. The findings of this study can be beneficial for researchers and historians as they analyze influential personalities in Iranian history and beyond.
Keywords
Mohammad Ali Mirza Dowlatshah
personality psychology
neurotic needs
actual self and ideal self
Karen Horney
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Historical Studies
Volume 17, Issue 1 - Serial Number 33
Spring and Summer 2026-2027
April 2026
Pages 69-105

  • Receive Date 06 October 2024
  • Revise Date 24 August 2025
  • Accept Date 24 September 2025