Filter Theory Flashcards
What is filter theory?
-Kerchoff & Davis’ theory of attraction suggests we choose partners using a series of filters that narrow down the ‘field of availables’.
-Different filters are prominent at different stages of partner selection.
What is Social Demography? (Filter 1)
-Refers to a wide range of factors which influence the chances of potential meeting.
-Geographical location, ethnic group, education, class, religion etc.
-Our most meaningful interactions are with people nearby - key benefit of proximity is accessibility as it doesn’t require much effort.
-Realistic field is narrow - choices are constrained by social circumstances.
-Anyone ‘too different’ is discounted as you will have more in common with someone who shares same things - most find this attractive.
What is Similarity in Attitudes? (Filter 2)
-Partners will often share beliefs or values as field of availability has already been narrowed down to similar cultural and social characteristics.
-Kerchoff & Davi’s (1962) found this important but only for couples together less than 18 months.
-In earlier stages, there is a need for agreement over basic values as it encourages greater communication and promotes self-disclosure.
-Byrne (1997) described consistent findings that similarity causes attraction - if similarity does not exist then partners have little in common and relationship is likely to fizzle out.
What is Complementarity? (Filter 3)
-The abilities of partners to meet each others needs - traits which the other lacks.
-Kerchoff & Davis found need for this was more important for long-term couples - at later stages opposites attract.
-It is attractive as it gives the feeling that together the partners form a whole - adding depth to relationship.
What are 2 strengths of Filter Theory?
Research Support for importance of similarity in short-term and complementarity in long-term:
-Kerchoff & Davis longitudinal study of 94 dating couples at Duke University in US, each partner completed 2 questionnaires assessing degree to which they shared values and need for complementarity.
-7 months later completed further questionnaire assessing how close they felt at beginning of study.
-In initial analysis only similarity was related to closeness, but when divided into short-term and long-term, similarity was most important for short-term and complementarity was more important for long-term.
Demonstrates role filter theory plays in formation and maintenance of relationships.
Real value in relationship formation process:
-Duck (1973) suggests real value is that it allows people to make predictions to avoid time wasting.
-Each person conducts series of explorations - he claims people use strategies to gather information and see true feelings.
-Based on exchanges partners may decide to continue or make decision that it won’t work before becoming too deeply involved.
Therefore the theory stops people making the wrong choice and then having to live with the concequences.
What are 2 limitations of Filter Theory?
Complementarity of needs may not be that important:
-Dijkstra & Barelds (2008) studied 760 college-educated students (476 women, 284 men) on dating site looking for long-term mate.
-Own personalities were measured and asked to rate personality characteristics they desired.
-Found that there were strong correlations between the individual’s own personality and their ideal partner’s.
Lent support to similarity of attraction hypothesis rather than the complementarity of needs.
Difficulty establishing cause & effect:
-Suggests people are initially attracted because they are similar, evidence to suggest this is wrong.
-Anderson et al (2003) longitudinal study - cohabiting partners became more similar over time.
-Davis & Rusbult (2001) discovered attitude alignment effect in long-term partners - over time they bring their attitudes with each other’s.
Suggests similarity is an effect of initial attraction, and not the cause, challenging predictions of theory.
