Cognitive Schemas of an Ideal Spouse among Young Adults

Article Title: Cognitive Schemas of an Ideal Spouse among Young Adults

Author(s): Iqra I. Tariq, S. Salma Hasan & M. Asir Ajmal

Institute(s): Department of Psychology, GC University, Lahore

Journal: Pakistan Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 2013, Vol. 11, No.2, 14-21

Correspondence Address: Iqra Tariq Department of Psychology, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan; E-mail: iqra_tariq70@hotmail.com; Dr. Syeda Salma Hasan, Department of Psychology, GC University, Lahore, E-mail: s.salmahasan@hotmail.com

Abstract

The present study investigated the cognitive schemas of an ideal spouse among young adults. The study comprised of two phases the first phase was carried out to gather information about the characteristics that young adults desire to have in a mate. Both boys and girls were asked to list down in order of preference the characteristics of an ideal wife and husband. Descriptive statistics was applied to analyze the data. Findings indicated the characteristics which were highly valued by both girls and boys: loving, caring and understanding. While the second phase of the study comprised of a focus group discussion which was conducted with eight participants’ four boys and four girls. Purposive sampling technique was used to draw the data. After applying grounded theory, three staged theory of cognitive schemas of an ideal spouse among young adults emerged. The first stage describes the personal schemas of young adults’ while selecting an ideal spouse. The second stage explains the significant others schemas and its influence. The third stage seeks to understand the underlying cultural schemas young adults hold while selecting an ideal spouse. This study has implications for young adults regarding the selection of a mate.

Keywords: gender, ideal spouse, cognitive schema, young adults

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