A Psychological Reading of Persian Proverbs Based on the Concepts in Reality-Therapy Regarding Effective and Ineffective Aspects of Behavior

Interdisciplinary studies of Persian literature and psychology have played an effective role in explaining and conveying concepts in these two fields. Considering the role of Persian proverbs in objectifying abstract concepts and representing the common internal needs and desires of Iranian ethnic groups, this paper intends to study the function of this part of folklore literature in the process of reality therapy. William Glasser (1925), the developer of reality therapy, explained this new psychological approach based on choice theory. Reality therapy is based on self-evaluation, relying on realism and morality, and ultimately a call for responsibility to achieve happiness and well-being. Using qualitative analysis, the present paper seeks to answer the questions of how to re-read Persian proverbs with new approaches to psychotherapy? And, is the use of Persian proverbs effective in the process of counseling and psychotherapy? Selected proverbs have been studied with regard to Glasser’s emphasis on the effectiveness and moral nature of human behavior. The findings show that proverbs which express effective behavior, while having the criterion of responsibility, lack an immoral aspect, and those which talk about avoiding general ineffective behavior do not have a moral aspect, and refer to irresponsible behavior. However, moral duality is evident in both groups of proverbs. It seems that Persian proverbs with aspects such as advice and counsel, clarity and correctness of meaning, good effect, reliance on experience, reflection of thought, etc. can be effective in conveying the concepts of reality therapy.