Partner choice in Africa was investigated in a modernization study. The research sample consisted of 275 adult males from the Zairean province of Shaba (university students, clerks, workmen and illiterate rurals). The sample was split up into two subgroups : the "moderns" and the "traditionals".

Our main research instrument was a series of 14 pictures, inspired on the Thematic Apperception Technique. Traditionally, it was the father, or the family, who arranged marriage for the son. Modern young Africans more and more want to choose their partner on their own. This modern attitude leads to a number of conflict situations, because, on the one hand, Africans want to realise their partner choice by themselves, but on the other hand, they do not like to endanger their relationships with the family.

KEYWORDS : Psychological modernization, partner choice, Zaire