Filter theory Flashcards
Explain research into filter theory (AO1).
Kerchoff and Davis compared the attitudes and personalities of student couples in short-term relationships (less than 18 months) and long-term relationships. They devised a filter theory to explain how such romantic relationships form and develop. In terms of partner choice, we have a field of availables and there are three main factors that act as filters to narrow down our range of partner choice to a field of desirables.
Define field of available.
The entire set of potential romantic partners.
Define field of desirables.
The group of potential partners when narrowed down based on factors.
What are the three levels of filter theory.
1) Social demography
2) Similarity in attitudes
3) Complementarity
What is the first level of filter?
Social demography refers to a wide range of factors which influence their chances of potential partners meeting each other in the first place. They include geographical location (proximity), social class, level of education, ethnic group, religion etc. You are much more likely to meet people who are physically close. The key benefit of proximity is accessibility. It does not require much effort to meet people who live in the same area, or go to the same school. Effectively anyone who is ‘too different’ is discounted as a potential partner and the outcome of this filtering is homogamy which means you are more likely to form a relationship with someone who is socially and culturally similar.
Outline the second level of filter.
Partners will often share important beliefs and values. Kerckhoff and Davis found that similarity of attitudes was important in the development of romantic relationships, but only for couples who had been together less than 18 months. There is a need for partners in the earlier stages of a relationship to agree over basic values, the things that really matter to them which encourages greater and deeper communication. There is considerable evidence that most of us find this similarity attractive. If this similarity does not exist and the partners find they have nothing in common at all, the relationship is likely to fizzle out.
Outline the third level of filter.
Concerns the ability of romantic partners to meet each other’s needs. Two partners complement each other when they have traits that the other lacks. For example, one partner may enjoy making the other laugh and in turn the other partner enjoys being made to laugh. Kerchoff and Davis found that the need for complementarity was more important for the long-term couples as in later stages of a relationship, opposites attract. This gives partners the feeling that together they make a whole and adds depth to the relationship.
At what point in a relationship is similarity in attitudes important according to filter theory?
Less than 18 months into the relationship.
At what point in a relationship is complementarity important according to filter theory?
beyond 18 months (long-term couples)
Give a strength of filter theory. (research evidence).
There is research evidence to support the filter theory. The filter theory assumes that key factors in a relationship changes over time and this makes sense and agrees with most peoples experience of relationships so gives the theory face validity. For example, Winch found that similarities of personality, attitudes and interests between partners are typical of the earliest stages of a relationship. Yet, after years of being together complementarity of needs is more important. This supports the view of the filter theory and can explain why some couples remain happily married for years.
Give a limitation of filter theory (lack of temporal validity).
The rise of online dating in recent years has changed beyond recognition the process of beginning a romantic relationship. It has reduced the importance of some social demographic variables. Apps such as Tinder have made meeting potential partners easier than ever, to the extent that we might well pursue a date with someone outside the usual demographic limits. This shows that the filter theory lacks temporal validity.
Give a limitation of filter theory. (direction of cause and effect).
Filter theory suggests that people are initially attracted to each other because they are similar but there is evidence that this direction of causality is wrong. Anderson et al found that in a longitudinal study, cohabiting partners became more similar in their emotional responses over time. Davis and Rusbult also discovered this and found that romantic partners over time bring their attitudes into line with each other. These findings are not predicted by the filter theory
Limitation of filter theory (failure to replicate)
Levinger pointed out that many studies have failed to replicate the original findings that formed the basis of the filter theory. He put this down to social changes over time and also the difficulties inherent in defining the depth of a relationship in terms of its length. Kerchoff and Davis chose an 18 month cut-off point to distinguish between short-term and long-term relationships. They assumed that partners who had been together longer were more committed and had a deeper relationship, This highlights the problems of the Filter theory and its application.
