Ibrahim Ismail is a Senior Lecturer of Psychology at the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Maldives National University. He holds a Master of Science in Psychology, from University of Canterbury, New Zealand. His thesis entitled “Effects of genetic and experiential explanations for killing on subsequent bug-killing behaviour and moral acceptance of killing”, experimented aggression related attitudes and behaviour in humans in the context of genetic essentialism. This was followed by his esteemed publication “Exploring the effects of the naturalistic fallacy: Evidence that genetic explanations increase the acceptability of killing and male promiscuity” in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology. Ibrahim’s academic and research interest involves studying human phenomena through the rich intersection of spiritual, philosophical and psychological insights. He is keen on researching theoretical issues in psychology, as well as studying foundations of human nature, mind and consciousness. Consequently, Ibrahim has been drawn into the emerging field and movement of Islamic Psychology. Currently, he serves as the Chairperson of the Maldives Association of Islamic Psychology (MAIP) and is also an advisor and contributor to the International Students of Islamic Psychology–ISIP Maldives Chapter.

Master of Science in Psychology, University of Canterbury, New Zealand, 2008
Bachelor of Behavioural Science, Flinders University, Australia, 2003

• Theoretical and philosophical psychology
• Psychology, spirituality and religion
• Islamic psychology (Human nature, fitrah and self)

A National Survey of Islamic Psychology Teaching and Clinical Practice in Maldives
Role: Research team leader. Date: (2026 – proposed)

Research projects of Master of Science in Psychology (Clinical)

• Psychology and Islam
• Psychology, law and ethics
• Industrial and environmental psychology
• Study skills (Critical thinking, critical analysis and appraisal)

1. Ismail, I., & Samad, R. A. (2025). Role of job security on employee job satisfaction among Maldivians. In Book of Abstracts: International Conference 2025 (p. 157). The Maldives National University.
2. Sanoora, A., & Ismail, I. (2016). Public perception and attitudes about mental illness in Maldives. In Book of Abstracts: International Conference of Applied Psychology (ICAP) (p. 28). Colombo, Sri Lanka.
3. Ismail, I., Martens, A., Landau, M. J., Greenberg, K. & Weise, D.R. (2012). Exploring the effects of the naturalistic fallacy: Evidence that genetic explanations increase the acceptability of killing and male promiscuity. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 42, 735–750. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2011.00815.x/abstract

A reviewer to MNU research journal MNJR (Vol 5, No 1, June 2017)

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Chairperson of the Maldives Association of Islamic Psychology (MAIP)

Certificate of Recognition recipient, honoured for 10 years of dedicated service to The Maldives National University

Co-founder and Chairperson of the local NGO Maldives Association of Islamic Psychology (MAIP)
Advisor and active contributor of the International Students of Islamic Psychology–ISIP Maldives Chapter.