Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran: A psychohistorical analysis focused on his interest in women's rights

• Main Author: Talebi, Nahid
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: Ann Arbor ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 1994
• Subjects: behavioral psychology; biographies; middle eastern history; personality psychology; psychology

The problem. This research was a psychohistorical study of the personality of the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi with focus on his notable interest in upgrading the status of Persian women.
Method. A qualitative content analytical research approach was employed to analyze certain research questions about what effect the Shah's relationship with his female relations (his mother, his twin sister and his wives) might have had on his motivation to promote the status of Persian women. The psycho-historical methodology of Erikson and Levinson was used.
Results. Several events in the Shah's life shaped his strong interest in promoting the status of women. The more prominent factors were: (1) His abrupt removal from his mother's care at the age of six was traumatic, as was his father's mistreatment of his mother by taking a second wife. (2) His empathic relationship with his twin sister, Ashraf, impacted many of his future decisions regarding Persian women. (3) His early care by a Parisian tutor, Madame Arfa introduced him to the progressive attitudes of Western culture toward women. (4) His secondary education in Switzerland reinforced his view of the position of Western women. (5) His father's high-handed methods led him to be protective of his mother, his sister and, later, women in general. (6) His mentor, Peron, influenced him in building his early and later provided him with personal support in his attempts to empower women. (7) His intimate relationship with his second wife, Soraya, gave him the incentive to take practical steps toward improving the condition of women during his reign.
The above relationships and events so impacted his personality that he developed empathy with the plight of Persian women and a strong desire to improve their condition, to attempt to upgrade their status and to secure their rights in the areas of marriage, divorce, family, education, employment opportunities, and voting.