The Role of Psychological Typology in Religious Experiences

First Insights from the Alister Hardy Trust database

Authors

  • Richard Vroom Radboud University Nijmegen NL

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between psychological typology and religious and spiritual experiences (RSEs) by analysing firsthand accounts from the Alister Hardy Trust Database. From 624 narratives, 100 were selected that contained a clearly described RSE and sufficient data to infer psychological type using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) framework. Through qualitative coding in ATLAS.ti, we examined patterns in MBTI preferences and mystical features as defined by James, Stace, and Happold. Findings show a strong presence of introversion (I) and intuition (N), with INFJ as the most frequently identified type (41%), followed by INFP (24%) and INTJ (17%). Extrovertive mystical experiences were more commonly reported than introvertive ones, suggesting that even introspective individuals may externalise spiritual perception. This challenges assumptions about the inward nature of mysticism. The study offers new insights into how personality influences RSEs and holds implications for pastoral theology, spiritual counselling, and the psychology of religion.

Author Biography

Richard Vroom, Radboud University Nijmegen NL

The Revd Richard Vroom is currently at Radboud University, Nijmegen, researching how psychological type is apparent in reported religious and spiritual experience within the Alister Hardy Archive. Previously he served in various parishes in the Netherlands (Old-Catholic Church, Union of Utrecht) and 10 years in Tywyn, for the Church in Wales. He studied in Amsterdam, Leuven, at the Sorbonne in Paris, and in Warwick. Currently he works on his PhD at the University of Nijmegen (Radboud).

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Published

2025-07-09

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2025): Special 10th anniversary issue

Section

Articles

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