Factors affecting attraction: Filter Theory

Question 1

Outline Filter Theory

Kerchoff & Davis

Answer 1

Kerckhoff & Davis(1962) compared the attitudes & personalities of student couples in short term & long term ​relationships. ​
They devised a filter theory to explain how romantic relationships form & develop. According to this theory there are 3 main factors that act as filters to narrow down our range of partner ​choice to a field desirables.

Question 2

Outline Social demography ( 1st level of filter)

Answer 2

Social demography refers to range of factors all of which influence the chances of potential partners meeting each other such as physical proximity, level of education, ethnic group or religion​
These factors are Important as most people are likely to meet people who are physically close and who share similar demographic characteristics.

Question 3

Outline similarities in attitudes ( 2nd level of Filter)

Answer 3

People tend to view people as more attractive if they share the same core beliefs & values such as views on careers and importance of family

Question 4

Outline complementarity ( 3rd level of filter)

Answer 4

Complementarity refers to each of the partners having some traits that the other partner lacks and helping each other fulfil their needs . For example, one partner may enjoy making the other laugh, and in turn the partner enjoys being made to laugh​

Complementarity is attractive because it gives two romantic partners the feeling that together they form a whole, which adds deph to the relationship​

Question 5

A03

Filter theory criticsed for temporal validty

Limitation

Answer 5

Filter theory criticised for lacking temporal validity, due to technological advances
* our ‘field of desirables’ is further increased because we are not restricted by certain social demographics, such as proximity & social class or culture,
* because we have the ability to communicate with potential partners before meeting them & potentially starting a relationship.
This means that filter theory may lack temporal validity because it only explains dating phenomena which have been restricted to people before the Internet.​

Question 6

A03

Outline a limitation of similarities in attitudes ( 2nd filter)
Montoya percieved similaritires more important than actual similarities

Limitation

Answer 6

Montoya et al(2008) conducted a meta-analysis of 313 studies, found that actual similarities affected attraction only in very short-term lab based interactions.
* In real world relationships perceived similarities was a stronger prediction of attraction
* Hence partners may perceive greater similarities as become more attracted to each other.
* This suggests that perceived similarities may be an effect of attraction and not a cause. Further suggesting that actual similarities matter less in a relationship than whether patners percieve themselves to be similar

Question 7

A03

Research support by Winch-initial similarities

Strength

Answer 7

Winch (1958). found initial similarities in beliefs & attitudes were cited as one of the main attractive features in relationship
increasing validity of filter theory as a way of narrowing the field of availables down to a field of desirables.
suggests even in modern age, filter theory
still valid explanations of relationship formation.