Factors affecting attraction - Filter theory Flashcards
What is filter theory
Kirchhoff and Davies suggest that there are certain limiting factors that affect the choice of partners. We only become attracted to those who pass through a series of filters (field of availables, possible people we could have a relationship with, narrowed down to field of desirables, who we would consider as potential partners)
How many filters are there
3
What is similarity filter 1
Social demography
What is social demography
We are more likely to come into contact with some people more than others, just due to how we spend our time. Factors include who we live near, who we are with during our education/ work lives and who we socialise with.
This will be linked to characteristics like social class, level of education and economic status.
What is the second similarity filter
Attitudes
What is the attitudes filter
Due to social demography it is likely that we will come into contact with people with similar core values, these people are seen as more attractive/ compatible. This helps with social disclosure at the start of relationships
What is the third similarity filter
Complementarity
What is the complementarity filter
We are attracted to those people who provide for our emotional needs. In this way partners can have differences that are mutually beneficial.
For example one partner may like organising social activities, while the other enjoys having these arranged for them. If both wanted to organise these it may lead to conflict. This is seen as important for the success of long term relationships.
Kirchhoff and Davies research investigating filters
They conducted a 7 month questionnaire on views and based longitudinal study using student couples who had either been together for more or less than 18 months.
Assessing the degree to which they shared attitudes and values, the degree of need complementarity and a further questionnaire assessing how close they felt to their partner.
Kirchhoff and Davies research investigating filters findings
Found that similarity of attitudes was the most important factor for short term relationships (less than 18 months).
And complementarity was the most important factor in long term relationships
How does Kirchhoff and Davies research investigating filters support filter theory
Filter theories suggestion of the importance of attitudes and complementarity in attraction for romantic partners
What is a limitation of Kirchhoff and Davies investigation of filters
The sample used may not be generalisable to populations outside young, educated Americans, having some culture bias. Also being a self report study (social desirability bias)
Tylor’s supporting findings on filter theory
Findings that Americas who married in 1998, 85% of them married from within their own ethnic groups. A finding from the real world supporting that social demographics strongly influence the selection of partners
Limitations of filter theory
The similarity in partners may be a result not of selection, but a convergence of beliefs and values through communication. Complementarity may not be selected for, but be developed due to each partner finding their role within a relationship (issues of correlation, not causation)
May lack temporal validity. Filters are now starting to break down, virtual relationships lack the gating that filters like social demography used to provide with apps like Tinder not filtering for social class, education or ethnicity. It could be argued a greater focus is on physical attraction. Also as relationship formations across ethnicities and cultures is more acceptable and likely due to increased globalisation and migration.
Advantage of filter theory
By including the benefits of the other partner in providing for emotional needs and complementing potential failings, links to social exchange theories of relationships more than just physical explanations of attraction
