factors affecting attraction - Filter theory

Question 1

Who are the psychologists that come up with filter theory?

Answer 1

Kerckhoff and Davis

Question 2

What is filter theory?

Answer 2

States that a series of different factors progressively reduces the range of available romantic partners to a much smaller pool of possibilities

Question 3

What are the factors/ filters

Answer 3

• social demography
• similarity in attitudes
• complementarity.

Question 4

What is social demography

Answer 4

• factors which influence the chances of partners first meeting
• this includes location, social class, education, ethnicity, religion
• More likely to meet people who are physically close to you and share several demographic characteristics.
• Most meaningful interactions are with people nearby

Question 5

What is similarity in attitudes?

Answer 5

• There is a need for partners in the earlier stages to agree over basic values (political views, hobbies, interests etc)
• Similarity of attitudes was important to the development of romantic development (only applies to couples who have been together less than 18 months)
• promotes self disclosure

Question 6

What is complementarity?

Answer 6

• Two partners complement each other when they have traits that the other lacks.
• This make them feel whole, which adds depth to a relationships and makes it more likely to flourish.

Question 7

What is research supporting the filter theory?

Answer 7

P: One strength is support from Kerckhoff and Davis’ original study
EE: In a longitudinal study, couples completed questionnaires to assess– similarity of attitudes and complementarity of needs
Relationship ‘closeness’ was measured by another questionnaire
seven months later.
- Short term couples: Closeness was associated with similarity of values
- Long-term couples: Closeness was associated with complementarity
L: This study provided evidence that similarity is important in the early stages of a relationship, but complementarity is more important later on.

Question 8

What is a limitation of complementarity in filter theory

Answer 8

P: Complementarity may not be central to all long term relationships.
EE: Markey and Markey found that lesbian couples of equal dominance were the most satisfied. Their sample were in relationships for longer than 4.5 years
L: This suggests that similarity of needs rather than complementarity may be associated with long-term satisfaction, at least in some couples.

Question 9

What is a limitation of similarity in attitudes in filter theory?
(perceived vs actual)

Answer 9

P: Actual similarity matters less in a relationship than whether partners perceive themselves to be similar.
EE: Montoya et al (2008) did a meta-analysis of 313 studies.They found that actual similarity affected attraction only in very short- term relationships. Perceived similarity was a stronger predictor of attraction.
L: Therefore, filter theory is an incomplete explanation as it doesn’t take ‘perceived similarity’ into account.