Factors affecting attraction; filter theory

Question 1

field of availables vs field of desirables

Answer 1

availables
= entire set of potential partners
- all people we could realistically form relationship with

desirables
= those that are desirable to us
- narrowed through filters

Question 2

who came up with the filter theory

Answer 2

kerckhoff and davis 1962

Question 3

how was the filter theory devised

Answer 3

comparison of attitudes and personalities of student couple in ST (< 18months) and LT relationships, used to explain how relationships form and develop

Question 4

order of filters

Answer 4

1st = social demography
2nd = similarity in attitudes
3rd = complementarity

Question 5

what does social demography as the 1st filter mean

Answer 5

factors that influence changes to potential partners meeting each other in first place
e.g. proximity, social class, education level, ethnic group, religion

= more likely to meet people who are physically close to you/share several demographic features
= due to accessibility

Question 6

what is the outcome of the 1st filter

Answer 6

homogamy
= more likely to form relationship with someone who is socially/culturally similar

Question 7

what does similarity in attitudes as the 2nd filter suggest

Answer 7

similarity in attitudes = important to development of romantic relationships, but only for ST couples

• need for partners in earlier stages of relationship to agree over basic values = encourages greater/deeper communication and encourage self disclosure

Question 8

what is the law of attraction (byrne)

Answer 8

lack of similarity means relationships likely to fizzle out

Question 9

what does complementarity as the 3rd filter suggest

Answer 9

ability of partners to meet each others needs
= complement partner by having traits they lack
e.g., one partner is dominant, the other likes being dominated

• more important in LT couples (opp. attract)

Question 10

why is complementarity attractive

Answer 10

gives partners feeling of forming a whole together
= adds depth

Question 11

strength of filter theory

Answer 11

research support
- kerckhoff and davis = longitudinal study examining significance of similarity vs complementarity

ST couples = closeness associated with similarity in attitudes/values
LT couples = closeness associated with complementarity

= supports that 2nd/3rd filter more important depending on stage of relationship

Question 12

weakness of filter theory

Answer 12

actual vs perceived similarity
- montoya et al = metanalysis of 313 studies
actual sim. = only affected attraction in ST lab based interactions
perceived sim. = stronger prediction IRL

potential explanation = partners perceive greater similarity as become more attracted to each other
- suggests this may be effect of attraction, and not a cause of it
= filter theory does not predict this

Question 13

further weakness of filter theory

Answer 13

social change
- proximity within 1st filter
= impact reduced by social changes/tech developments
e.g., tinder, bumble

increases field of availables, location no longer limiting
= this potentially increases importance of physical attraction, more important than physical location as an initial filter

= shown through more relationships between partners from differing ethnic/cultural backgrounds than there were a generation ago

• suggests filter theory needs to be adapted to the realities of modern-day relationship formation by completely revising the features of the 1st level filter