Factors Affecting Attraction: Filter Theory Flashcards
Filter theory
The Filter Theory is an explanation of relationship formation and states that different factors progressively reduces the range of available romantic partners to a much smaller pool of possibilities. The filters include social demography, similarity in attitude and complementarity
Kerchoff and Davis (1962) found that there were filtering factors at different stages of the partner selection process as people try to choose the, “best fit” partner for them and “narrow down the field of availables.”
Levels of filter
Social demography - 1st level of filter
Similarity in attitudes - 2nd level of filter
Complementarity of needs - 3rd level of filter
Social demography - 1st level of filter
This filter is based on social characteristics and concerns variables such as age, ethnicity, social background, geographical location (proximity) and the likelihood of meeting the person in the first place. This can be restricted as we are likely to meet people from our own social and educational groups, or people who live nearby (proximity). If we have similar social demography, we feel at ease with that person and might find them more attractive as we have more in common with them.
Similarity in attitudes - 2nd level of filter
This filter is based on psychological characteristics and looks at whether people have the same attitudes, beliefs and values. Similarity in attitudes and values are of central importance at the start of a romantic relationship and can help predict stability, especially if the relationship has lasted 18 months or less. Through self-disclosure, individuals weigh up the decisions about whether to continue or end the relationship based on this filter. Partners who have very different values and attitudes are not seen as suitable to continue their relationship, and they might filter out the person.
Complementarity of needs - 3rd level of filter
This filter is based on emotional characteristics. People who have different needs in a relationship and more attraction might occur if the two people have different needs that complement each other, e.g. one person needs to be cared for, and the other person wants to care for someone. Both partners might like each other because they have mutual satisfaction and opposing needs that have been met. Research has found that needs should be complementary and not similar in order for the relationship to work and be successful, for instance if one person is dominant, the other person should be laid back and might need their partner to tell them what to do sometimes. Long term relationships have more attraction when needs of partners are harmonious, rather than conflicting.
Key study by Kerckhooff and Davis in the Filter Theory procedure
Conducted a longitudinal study of 94 couples from Duke University in the USA. Each person in the couple answered 2 questionnaires to assess the degree of shared attitudes, values and complementarity of needs in order to assess closeness. 7 months later they each completed another questionnaire to see how close they felt to their partner, and this was compared to the first questionnaire.
Key study by Kerckhoff and Davis on the Filter Theory findings
couples were divided into two groups:
• Short term partners had been dating 18 months or less and it was found that similarity of attitudes and values were important for closeness
• Long term couples who had been dating for 18 months or more relied on complementarity of needs as a predictor for closeness.
Key study by Kerckhoff and Davis on the Filter Theory conclusion
Long term and short term relationships rely on different filters to predict closeness, attraction and permanence in a relationship.
Advantages of Filter Theory
There is research support for filter theory provided by Kerchoff and Davis’s original study which showed that similarity is important in the early stages of a relationships whereas complementarity is more important in longer relationships.
Another study to support filter theory was conducted by Taylor (2010) who found that 85% of Americans who got married in 2008 had married someone from their own ethnic group, supporting the social demographic idea. Individuals seem to choose partners that were similar to them and had a similar background to them (ethnicity).
Furthermore, research conducted by Hoyle (1993) _also supports the filter theory when looking at the importance of attitude similarity and sharing common values for attraction. Hoyle found that perceived attitude similarity can predict attraction more strongly than actual attitude similarity. Tidwell tested this hypothesis during a speed dating event whereby participants had to make quick decisions about attraction. He measured actual and perceived similarity of attitudes using a questionnaire and found that perceived similarity predicted romantic liking more than actual similarity.
Disadvantages of Filter Theory
Research conducted by Levinger (1970) has found that many studies have failed to replicate findings from Kerckhoff and Davis based on filter theory. Levinger conducted research using 330 couples and found no evidence that similarity of attitudes or complementarity of needs was important when looking at how permanent the relationship became over time. There was also an issue on deciding when a short term relationship becomes a long term relationship. Kerckhoff issue ovesticied the a 18 months a relationship becomes long term, but this has been disputed.
Another weakness of Filter theory is that it has been criticised because it suggests that people are attracted to each other because they have similar demography and social characteristics. Anderson (2003) contradicted filter theory and found from his longitudinal study of cohabiting partners that they became more similar in terms of their attitudes and emotional responses over time which increased attraction. At the start of the relationship, their attitudes were not so similar. This is called, “Emotional convergence.”
Finally, research using online dating has shown a lack of support for filter theory in that it might not be an accurate way to see how relationships progress and form. The internet has meant that there is a reduction in social demographic variables when we meet someone, and it is now easier to meet people who live far away, or who have a different ethnicity, social class and background. We might meet people who are outside of our demographic limits, and this is very apparent now, compared to the past (30 years ago). Therefore filter theory may lack temporal validity.
