Decoding Relationship between Collectivistic and Individualistic Orientations with Positive Psychology, Religiosity, Socioeconomic Demographics among Muslims:  A Survey-based Global Study (Joining virtually)

The data for this exploratory study will come from the Mapping the Terrain 2018-2019 study. The project includes the dataset to expand the sample in all age groups. I particularly intend to use all Muslims in the survey. I will consider both Muslim-majority countries, including Bosnia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Algeria, Sudan and Malaysia; and predominately non-Muslim countries, or countries with a balanced ratio of religions, including Tatarstan, India, Kenya, Mauritius, and the United States. The goal is to empirically analyze the influence of collectivistic and individualistic orientation of Muslims’ self-perceived personality traits of empathy, forgiveness, gratitude, and life satisfaction.

Several scholarly researches have analyzed the role of collectivistic and individualistic orientation (Burton et al., 2021; Mishra, 1994), and how they impact individuals’ self-perceived positive psychological traits of empathy (Duan, Wei & Wang, 2008), forgiveness (Hook et al., 2012), gratitude (Rego & Cunha, 2009), and community mindfulness (Germani et al., 2021). However, this will be among the first empirical studies to analyze a large, global sample of Muslims. Based on past literature and considering the information gap, this study will answer the following research question:

• Does collectivistic or individualistic orientation among Muslims impact the level of their empathy, forgiveness, and community mindfulness differently?

This research question will be answered by a series of individual hypotheses through regression analysis of different independent variables (collectivistic and individualistic orientations) and dependent variables (empathy, forgiveness, and community mindfulness) while controlling for survey participant geographic location (including Bosnia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Algeria, Sudan and Malaysia; Tatarstan, India, Kenya, Mauritius, and the United States), socioeconomic demographics (age, education and, income) and religiosity/spirituality.

An additional aspect to see here would be if the country of origin, Muslim majority vs Muslim minority, has a different outcome for the same personality orientation. Another important predicter could be gender, as men and women have shown different levels of empathy, forgiveness, and community mindfulness under the same circumstances. Other variables of interest include age, education and income.

Dr. Zeeshan Noor is a Research Manager for the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI) at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. His research interests include public and nonprofit management, faith-based philanthropy, prosocial behavior, digital media use in the public and nonprofit sectors, and DEI Management. Dr. Noor has substantial practical experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. He is currently participating in several research projects. Dr. Noor graduated with a Ph.D. in Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Dallas, a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley, and a Master of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of Karachi, Pakistan.