RESEARCH PROPOSAL FOR M.

Phil IN PSYCHOLOGY BY MUSHTAQUE UMRANI

-2016
EFFECTS OF INTRA-FAMILY AND OUT-FAMILY MARRIAGES ON COGNITIVE
DEVELOPMENT OF MALE AND FEMALE CHILDREN.

Objective: The aim of this study would be to determine the effects of inter-family and out-family
marriages on cognitive development of male and female children.
Background: The massive intermarriages in Pakistani culture may well have done virtually
irreversible damages, including extensive damage to its intelligence, sanity, and health.
Marriages between close biological relatives are relatively common in populations throughout
the North of Africa, Middle East, South and Central Asia (Bener & Hussain, 2006), and in some
migrant communities, permanently residing in Western Europe (Bittles, 2008). Although the
practice of inbreeding is strongly rejected in modern Western society because of its detrimental
health effects, it can be observed in all ethnic and religious groups to a varying degree (Bittles,
1994). According to the BBC, this Pakistani, Muslim-inspired inbreeding is thought to explain
the probability that a British Pakistani family is more than 13 times as likely to have children
with recessive genetic disorders. While Pakistanis are responsible for three percent of the births
in the UK, they account for 33% of children with genetic birth defects.
Hypotheses: In the light of literature review following hypotheses would be formulated.
1. There is positive relationship between IQ score level in SIT and development of abstract
reasoning in children bear of intra family marriages.
2. There is high IQ score in SIT in male children bear of intra family marriages.
3. There is low IQ score in SIT in male children bear of out-family marriages.
4. There is high IQ score in SIT in female children bear of intra family marriages.
5. There is low IQ score in SIT in female children bear of out-family marriages.

Sample and Method: Sample of present study comprised of 100 participants. The age range of
entire sample would be from 5 years to 10 years. Sample would be recruited from different
schools situated in different areas of Karachi.
Instruments: The measures, which would be used in the study, are: Personal Information Form,
Sloson Intelligence Test (SIT).
Statistical Analysis: In order to interpret the data in statistical terminology following statistics
would be used. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviations, and percentages) would be
used for getting a better statistical view of characteristics of sample of the data in a summarized
way. All statistical computation would be done through Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS, V-20.0).

Department of Psychology, University of Karachi