filter theory

Question 1

the filter theory

Answer 1

kerckhoff and davis (1962) studied student couples, mainly short term (under 18 months), and discovered different criteria used to choose a partner. these were called ‘filters’ and people apply several of these

Question 2

what is the field of availables ?

Answer 2

the population of people a person can get in a relationship with

Question 3

what is the field of desirables ?

Answer 3

the population of people a person wants to be in a relationship with

Question 4

the first level of filters

Answer 4

sociodemographic characteristics, like proximity, level of education, social class and religion. people are more likely to build relationships with those who are geographically close, and who have a similar education, social class and religion

Question 5

the second level

Answer 5

similarity of attitudes, people ted to view those with the same core beliefs and values as more attractive. byrne (1997) found this was especially important in the early stages of relationships. the presence of these similarities is discovered via self disclosure

Question 6

the third level

Answer 6

complementarity plays a more important role in long term relationships. it refers to a person having traits their partner lacks and helping them to fulfil their needs, so they complement each other. winch (1957) found similarity of interests, attitudes and personality were important at the start of relationships, and complementarity impacted long term relationships more

Question 7

kerckhoff and davis (1962) - a longitudinal study to test the filter theory

Answer 7

• 94 couples from duke uni answered 2 questionnaires. one assessed shared values and attitudes, the other determined the extent the person needs complementarity in a relationship. 7 months later, they did a 3rd to rate their closeness to their partner from the start of the study to the present
• initial analysis showed only similarity was related to ratings of closeness. upon analysing results with lt and st separately, they found those in st relationships rated shared values and attitudes as the most important factor in closeness. and those in lt relationships found only complementarity was linked to closeness. this study supports the filter theory

Question 8

give a strength of the filter theory
1/1

Answer 8

research support. gruber baldini et al (1995) did a longitudinal study in 7 year intervals from 1956 to 1984 with 169 couples. found those similar in education and age at the start of their relationship are more likely to stay together. positive spousal correlations found for flexibility of attitude in couples together over 21 years. shows the importance of sociodemographic factors

Question 9

give a limitation of the filter theory
1/4

Answer 9

may be less relevant today. sine the development of technology, sociodemographic factors may not be important now we have dating apps/sites. compared to 20-30 years ago, people are now more likely to develop relationships with someone not in their proximity or culture, limiting validity. so the filter theory lacks temporal validity.

Question 10

give a limitation of the filter theory
2/4

Answer 10

research fails to replicate kerckhoff and davis. levenger (1974) say this may be due to the difficulty correlating relationship length and depth, and of determining what constitutes a lt or st relationship.the 18 month cut off doesn’t apply to all heterosexual relationships, homosexual couples or those from collectivist cultures. some take longer or less that 18 months to establish similarity and complementarity. these can’t be explained by the filter theory, so other factors may play a role in relationship initiation and development

Question 11

give a limitation of the filter theory
3/4

Answer 11

uses participants from individualistic cultures, where they value free will and individual preference of relationship choice, they may apply the filter theory freely. but in collectivist cultures, its common for relationships to be arranged so free will and individual filters aren’t used in partner choice. so the theory suffers from culture bias

Question 12

give a limitation of the filter theory
4/4

Answer 12

basing such a complex phenomenon (relationships) on the application of filters is reductionist and limits the real life relationships it can explain.e.g. it can’t explain why people stay in abusive relationships despite the lack of complementarity. this suggests a holistic approach mat be better to explain the complexity of relationships