Factors Affecting Attraction In Romantic Relationships: Filter Theory Flashcards
This theory suggests that we are attracted to and choose romantic partners using a series of filters that…
Narrow down the field of availables from which we might eventually make our choice.
Different filters are prominent at different stages of partner selection
Social demography
People are far more likely to have access to people who come from a similar background to themselves. This could relate to geographical proximity, social class, ethnic group or level of education for example.
More to do with social rather than individual characteristics
Similarity in attitudes
Partners need to agree on basic beliefs and values as it is the best predictor of the the relationship becoming stable. This encourages greater and deeper communication and promotes self disclosure
Complimentary
Partners need to meet others needs by each having traits the others lacks - mutually satisfying. Complimentary rather than similar if relationships are to work
Supporting research evidence from Kerckhoff and Davis longitudinal study of dating couples in the US
Questionnaires completed to gather information on their relationship
Initially found that only similarity appeared to be later to partner closeness. For those seeing each other less than 18 months, similarity in attitude was most significant predictor of how close they felt to partner
Those dating more than 18 months, complementarity was predicative of how close each felt to their partner
Adds validity to the theory different filters are prominent at different stages of relationships
Failure to replicate findings from levinger
Found no evidence that either similarity of attitudes and values or complementarity influenced progress towards permanence of relationship.
Found no significant relationship between the length of the couples relationships and the influence of those variables
Inconsistent findings = cautious in accepting the validity of filter theory
Era dependant
Levinger suggested failure of replication may be the questionnaires used in 1962 were not appropriate to be used in the later 1970 study given the changes in social values and courting patterns that had occurred in the intervening years
Difficulty with the assumption that relationships progress when partners discover shared attitudes and the possession of needs that compliment their own
These are constantly changing over time and on many instances people not aware of their partners needs, values or role preferences. Thornton and young demarco found evidence of changed attitudes towards relationships in young American adults over a period of a few decades
Reduces the validity
Criticised for lacking temporal validity
Online dating has dramatically changed the process of beginning a relationship. Reduce the importance of some social demographic variables eg social class, so we may pursue a date with someon outside these usual demographic limits, more than we would 30 yrs ago
Less valid than it was before
