Author: Amn Haseeb
Supervisor: Ms. Afifa Anjum
Degree: MPhil
Year: (2010-2012)
University: Institute of Applied Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
This study was conducted to explore attitude of Pakistanis towards political parties and understand how they maintain or change their attitudes. Purposive sampling strategy was used to select the sample. The sample (N = 10) including participants with attitude maintenance (n = 5) and participants with attitude change (n = 5) consisted of students and young professionals from general population. Age range of the sample was from 25 to 35 years. Semi-structured Interview Method was used to collect data. Content Analysis was used for the purpose of analysis and themes were identified. Results indicated various aspects of attitudes of people towards political parties including both positive and negative. The analysis revealed that although all participants with attitude maintenance and attitude change had same perceptions but the participants who changed their attitude held an optimistic point of view regarding the situation and believed that the new party can bring about a change. Whereas the participants who maintained their attitude held a pessimistic point of view and as a result had developed the feelings of hopelessness and believed that all political parties are alike. This research serves as a basis for exploration of political attitudes and perceptions of people in Pakistan and proposes ideas for future research.
Keywords: political parties, attitude maintenance, attitude change.
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Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245
