Filter theory of attraction

Question 1

Who developed the filter theory of attraction?

Answer 1

Kerckhoff and Davis (1962)

Question 2

What are the three filters?

Answer 2

Social demography
Similarity in attitudes and values
Complementarity of needs

Question 3

What are the key beliefs of filter theory?

Answer 3

Relationships develop through the filters
Different factors are important at different times
Narrows the field of available to the field of desirables

Question 4

Explain the first filter.

Answer 4

Social demography
Variables such as age, geographical location, ethnicity and social economic and educational background
More likely to mix with people from the same background and who are geographically close
More likely to find those attractive that have similar backgrounds.

Question 5

Explain the second filter.

Answer 5

Similarity in attitudes and values
When two people get together, the second filter becomes the most important.
Communication is easier and the relationship is more likely to progress if the individuals share ideas and beliefs.
Found to be of central importance in early relationships and predicts relationship stability

Question 6

Explain the third filter.

Answer 6

Complementarity of needs
Established, long term relationships
How well a couple meet each other’s needs
Those with different needs can provide mutual satisfaction eg the need to care and the need to be cared for.
People are attracted to those whose needs are harmonious to theirs rather than conflicting.

Question 7

How did Kerckhoff and Davis test their model?

Answer 7

Longitudinal study of 94 student couples
Questionnaires over a 7 month period to assess shared attitudes and values, complementarity and how close they felt as a couple.

Question 8

What were the findings of Kerckhoff and Davis’ longitudinal study?

Answer 8

For short term couples, similarity of attitudes and values was most important predictor of how close they felt as a couple
For long term couples, psychological compatibility and the ability to meet each others needs was most important predictor of how close they felt as a couple.

Question 9

Is there research to contradict the filter theory?

Answer 9

Levinger et al (1970)
330 couples using similar procedures to Kerckhoff and Davis
No evidence that similarity of attitudes and values or complementarity of needs influenced progress to relationship permanence.
No relationship between the length of the couples relationships and the influence of the different variables.
Failed to replicate Kerckhoff and Davis’ findings.

Question 10

What are the limitations of Kerckhoff and Davis’ 1962 study?

Answer 10

Self-report data
Social desirability bias
Culture bias
Population validity
Temporal validity

Question 11

What is the attitude alignment effect and how can it be used to criticise filter theory?

Answer 11

Davis and Rusbult
Over time, romantic partners have a tendency to bring their attitudes in line with eachother’s.
Filter theory suggests that we are attracted to people because of our similarities (demographically and attitudinally.
Similarity is an effect of initial attraction rather than the cause.

Question 12

How does technology and online dating affect the relevance of filter theory?

Answer 12

Online dating has reduced the importance of social demography.
More likely to meet people outside of our social classes and cultures etc.
Doesn’t have temporal validity.