Filter Theory

Question 1

Who came up with filter theory?

Answer 1

Kerckhoff and Davis

Question 2

what year did Kerckhoff and Davis come up with filter theory?

Answer 2

1962

Question 3

what does filter theory explain?

Answer 3

the development of relationships

Question 4

What does Filter Theory propose?

Answer 4

there are a series of ‘filters’ that operate at different stages of forming a relationship

Question 5

How many stages are there in Filter Theory?

Answer 5

three

Question 6

What are the three stages of Filter Theory?

Answer 6

1. Social Demographic Filter
2. Similarity in Attitudes Filter
3. Complementarity Filter

Question 7

Social Demographic Filter

Answer 7

We form a “Field of Availables” - potential people to form a relationship with.

Question 8

What is the Social Demographic Filter based on?

Answer 8

Social and Demographic factors such as age, religion and living near each other

Question 9

Similarity in Attitudes Filter

Answer 9

We narrow the set of available people down to a smaller “Field of Desirables”

Question 10

What is the “Field of Desirables”?

Answer 10

people who a relationship is more likely to progress with

Question 11

What is the Similarity in Attitudes Filter based on?

Answer 11

sharing similar attitudes, values and interests

Question 12

Complementarity Filter

Answer 12

In longer term, relationships will progress if both partners are fulfilling each others needs

Question 13

What is the Complementarity Filter based on?

Answer 13

two people being a good complement to each other

Question 14

First Filter

Answer 14

Social Demographic Filter

Question 15

Second Filter

Answer 15

Similarity in Attitudes Filter

Question 16

Third Filter

Answer 16

Complementarity Filter

Question 17

Kerckoff and Davis (1962) Filter Theory Study: Method

Answer 17

they surveyed female university students and their male partners who were considering marriage. The survey asked about their personalities, attitudes and relationship.

Question 18

Kerckoff and Davis (1962) Filter Theory Study: Follow up survey

Answer 18

7 months later they conducted a follow up survey to see if the couple’s relationship has progressed towards a permanent partnership

Question 19

Kerckoff and Davis (1962) Filter Theory Study: Findings (-18 Months)

Answer 19

Couples who had been together for less than 18 months were more likely to have progressed towards a permanent partnership if they had similar values

Question 20

Kerckoff and Davis (1962) Filter Theory Study: Findings (+18 Months)

Answer 20

it was couples who had complementary needs who were more likely to have progressed towards a permanent partnership

Question 21

Kerckoff and Davis (1962) Filter Theory Study: Strengths

Answer 21

Winch (1958)

Question 22

Kerckoff and Davis (1962) Filter Theory Study: Strengths - What did Winch do?

Answer 22

surveyed 25 couples who had been married for less than 2 years

Question 23

Kerckoff and Davis (1962) Filter Theory Study: Strengths - What did Winch find?

Answer 23

he found a significantly stronger correlation in spouses between complementary needs

Question 24

Kerckoff and Davis (1962) Filter Theory Study: Weaknesses

Answer 24

Levinger et al (1970)

Question 25

Kerckoff and Davis (1962) Filter Theory Study: Weaknesses - What did Levinger et al do?

Answer 25

he replicated Kerckoff and Davis’ study across other universities

Question 26

Kerckoff and Davis (1962) Filter Theory Study: Weaknesses - What did Levinger et al find?

Answer 26

they found no significant difference over time in the correlation between relationships progress, either sharing values or having complementary needs