filter theory Flashcards
what does the field of availables =
AO1
when choosing a partner, people start by looking at the options that are available to us
field of desirables =
AO1
split into 3 filters:
- sociodemographic characteristics
- similarity of attitudes
- complementarity
who did Kerckhoff and Davis use in their sample? and what did they discover? - AO1
- student couples (mainly short term relationships of fewer than 18 months)
- discovered several important criteria people use to choose a partner
what is the first filter? - AO1
sociodemographic characteristics
sociodemographic characteristics main points - AO1
- such as physical proximity, level of education, social class, religion and other important factors people are likely to pay attention to when meeting a person for the first time
- factors determine the likelihood of individuals meeting influencing the likelihood of a relationship.
What is the second filter - AO1
Similarity of attitudes
Main points of similarity of attitudes - AO1
- States that people tend to view others as more attractive if they share the same core beliefs and values
- Byrne (1997) noted similar attitudes is especially important in earlier stages of relationships (couples longer than 18months)
What is the third filter - AO1
Complementarity
main points of complementarity - AO1
- seems that long term (18+months) this plays a much more important role
- refers to each of the partners having some traits that the other partner lacks and helping each other to fulfil their needs
- mutually satisfy those opposed needs
AO3 - support for filter Winch (1958)
- found evidence that similarities of personality interests and attitudes between partners are typical of the earliest stages of a relationship
- complementarity of needs is more important than similarity according to Winch
AO3 - problems with filter theory
Anderson (2003)
- found in a longitudinal study that cohabiting couples became more similar in their emotional responses over time - called emotional convergence
AO3 - Davis and Rusbult (2001)
to support Anderson
- discovered an attitude alignment effect in longer term relationships
- romantic partners over time bring their attitudes into line with each others
—> suggesting that similarity is an effect of initial attraction and not the cause
AO3 - discussion of the complementarity of needs construct
- Gruber-Baldini et al. (1995) carried out a study of married couples
- found that similarities between spouses in terms of intellectual abilities and attitudinal flexability increased over a 14 year period
AO3 - failure to replicate the original basis of filter theory
- Levinger (1974) many studies have failed to replicate the original findings that formed the basis of filter theory
- he attributed this to changes over time - also the difficulty of defining the depth of a relationship
-highlights the problem of trying to apply filter theory to other couples in individualist cultures let alone homosexual or relationships in another culture
AO3 - lack of temporal validity
- the rise of online dating in recent years has changed the process of beginning a romantic relationship
- it has reduced the importance of some social demographic variables. Technology and dating apps have made meeting potential partners easier than ever
- increased field of availables may have altered our view of field of desirables and who we may have persued a date with compared to 30 years ago
