Factors affecting attraction in romantic relationships: Filter theory Flashcards
Who were the psychologists that proposed the filter theory?
Kerckhoff and Davis
What did Kerckhoff and Davis state in the filter theory?
Kerckhoff and Davis stated there are a field of availables (potential partners) from which we select a field of desirables
What are the three filters we use?
We use three filters;
1) Social demography
2) Similarity in attitudes
3) Complementarity
What is the social demography filter?
This filter looks at the geographical location of the potential partner, social class, level of education, ethnicity, religion etc.
Based off the social demography filter, what makes a person more likely to enter a relationship with a potential partner?
A person will be more likely to enter a relationship with a potential partner if they are socially and culturally similar because most humans will find that shared demographic similarities are attractive
Why are people more likely to enter relationships with partners who have shared demographic similarities?
Humans are more attracted to people with shared demographic similarities because anyone too different will not be seen as a potential partner and will be filtered out before the next stage
What is the similarity in attitudes filter?
This filter looks into the need for partners (especially in early stages of the relationship) to agree over basic values
What is the benefit of the similarity in attitudes filter?
This filter results in greater communication and promotes self - disclosure within the relationship
What is the complementarity filter?
This filter looks into how two partners will complement each other when they have traits that the other lacks, allowing partners to fel that together they make a whole
Why is the complementarity filter important?
This filter is important for the development of long term relationships
What is a strength of research into the filter theory? (longitudinal study with couples + questionnaire)
There is supportive evidence from Kerckhoff and Davis. In a longitudinal study, couples completed a questionnaire to assess filter 2 and 3. Seven months later, coupled completed another questionnaire to measure relationship ‘closeness’. The study found that closeness was associated with similarity of values for couples who had been dating for less than 18 months and closeness was associated with complementarity of needs for longer relationships, supporting and providing evidence for the predictions of the theory
What is a limitation of research into the filter theory? (undermines validity of evidence)
Other studies have failed to find similar results to the longitudinal study. This may be because there are problems with choosing 18 months as a cut off point to distinguish between short term and long term relationships. This is quite subjective as there is an assumption that relationships that are longer than 18 months are more meaningful and associated with stronger commitment. This therefore questions and undermines the validity of its evidence base
What is a limitation of research into the filter theory? (lesbian couples + satisfaction rates)
Psychologists have found lesbian couples of equal dominance in the relationship rated more satisfaction. These couples had been in relationships longer than 4 and a half years. This opposes the filter theory and suggest that similarity of values rather than complementarity may be associated with long term satisfaction in some couples
What is a strength of research into the filter theory? (shared similarities = longer lasting relationship )
Psychologists found that couples who shared more similarities such as, education level, at the start of a relationship were more likely to be together 20 years later
What is a limitation of research into the filter theory? (lacks temporal validity)
Some psychologists argue that the role of filters have changed over time. For example, in relation to the 1st filter, location no longer limits partner choice on online dating apps and due to social changes there are now more relationships between partners of different ethnic backgrounds. There is a lack of temporal validity
