filter theory Flashcards
what is filter theory
an explanation of relationship formation and factors affecting attraction which progressively reduces the number of available romantic partners
what are the three filters
social demography
similarity in attitudes
complementarity of needs
what is social demography
range of factors which influences the chances of potential partners meeting in the first place
- geographical location, social class, level of education, ethnic group and religion
what influence does social demography have on attraction
- anyone who is too different is discounted as a potential partner
- we find individuals more attractive when we have more in common with them
- attraction has more to do with social than individual characteristic
what is similarity in attitudes
involves psychological characteristics specifically their agreement on attitudes and basic values
how is similarity in attitudes filtered
through disclosure to each other, individuals can weigh up their decisions about whether to continue or terminate their relationship
what did kerckhoff and davis discover about similarity of attitudes
its the central importance for couples who had been together for less than 18 months and the best predictor of a relationship becoming stable
why does similarity of values increase relationship stability
agreement over basic values and the things that really matter to them encourages greater and deeper communication and promotes self disclosure
what is complementarity of needs
the ability of romantic partners to meet each other needs
- people who have different needs are attracted to each other as they provide each other mutual satisfaction of these opposed needs
- eg the need to be caring and to be cared for
complementarity is attractive because
it gives two romantic partners the feeling that together they form a whole
complementarity is not the same as
suggesting opposites attract but rather in long term relationships people are attracted to others whose needs are harmonious with their own rather than conflicting
a strength of filter theory is that there is supporting evidence
- kerckoff and davis conducted a longitudinal study of dating couples
- both partners completed questionaires that assessed two main factors - similarity of attitudes and values and complementarity of needs
- relationship closeness was measured seven months later
- the study found that closeness was associated with similarity of values but only for couples who had been together for less than 18 months
- for couples in longer relationships complementarity of needs predicted closeness
- this is a strength as it provides evidence that similarity of attitudes and values is important in early stages of relationships as outlined by filter theory and that complementarity is important in long term couples as suggested by filter theory
- therefore giving validity to filter theory as a factor affecting attraction
a strength of filter theory is that the filtering process is important because it allows people to make predictions about their future interactions and so avoid investing in a relationship that wont work
- each person conducts a series of explorations, disclosing bits of information about themselves and making enquiries about the other person
- based on these exchanges partners may decide to continue with a relationship or decide that it will not work
- this is a strength because individuals may end a relationship before becoming too deeply involved with the other person and in doing so prevent suffering emotionally if they were to break up further down the line
- therefore this suggests that the real value of filtering is that it stops people making the wrong choices and then having to live with the consequences
a limitation of filter theory is that the role of filters has changed over time
- in terms of social demography online dating apps such as tinder have increased the field of available partners
- an individual might start messaging somebody across the country because they like the look of their dating profile
- those who use dating apps might give more importance to the other persons physical appearance as they can browse through countless potential partners regardless of where they live
- in addition social change has led to relationships that were previously less common eg partners of different ethnic backgrounds
- this is a limitation as it seems that filter theory especially social demography is an outdated concept
- therefore may lack validity in the 2020s
a limitation of complementarity in filter theory is the findings of markey and markey
- in a sample of lesbian couples who had been together for a mean time of 4 1/2 years they found that couples of equal dominance were the most satisfied
- this suggests that similarity rather than the complementarity of needs may be associated with long term satisfaction
- this is a limitation as if complementarity of needs was valid as per filter theory then in the most satisfying relationships one partner should be more dominant and the other more submissive
- therefore complementarity of needs may not be a valid aspect of all relationships
