RELATIONSHIPS - Factors Affecting Attrction: Filter Theory

Question 1

What is filter theory?

Answer 1

A series of factors that progressively reduces the range of available romantic partners to a smaller pool of possibilities.
Explanation of relationship formation

Question 2

What is the 3 levels of filter?

Answer 2

Social demography
Similarity in attitudes
Complementary

Question 3

Explain social demography?

Answer 3

Factors affecting chance off potential partners meeting each other. Eg geographical isolation, social class, education level, religion, ethnic group

Question 4

Explain similarity in attitudes?

Answer 4

Partners who share our basic values are attractive in earlier stages of relationships.

Question 5

Explain Kerckhoff and David (1962).

Answer 5

Found similarity of attitudes was important to the development of romantic relationships because there is a need for partners in the early stages of a relationship to agree over basic values = encourages deeper communication and self disclosure.

Question 6

Explain complementarity

Answer 6

The ability of partners to meet each other’s individual needs.

KERCKHOFF AND DAVIS = for long term couples, complementary is attractive because it gives two partners a sense of creating a whole when they are together. Adds depth to relationship = more likely to flourish.

Question 7

Give the strengths of research into the filter theory?

Answer 7

+ research support
Eg Kerckhoff and Davis = longitudinal study where a couple completed questionnaires which assessed stage 1 and 2. Closeness of relationship was assessed 7 months later.
Findings = closeness was associated with similarities of values for couples who were together for less than 18 months.
Longer relationships = complementarity of needs predicted closeness = study shows importance of similarity in early stages of relationship.

Question 8

Give limitations of research into filter theory?

Answer 8

• Levinger (1974) = highlighted that many studies failed to replicate original findings of K + D that formed basis of filter theory . Why? Society changes over time and there is difficulty in defining the depth of relationship in terms of length. = lacks validity in terms of evidence base.

-Markey + Markey (2013) = lesbian couples of equal dominance were most satisfied. Their sample of couples had been together for 4.5 years. This suggests that similarity of needs rather than complementarity may be associated with long term satisfaction .

• social change
  Filter theory claims that demographic factors such as location reduces field of availability to a small pool of people. HOWEVER = ONLINE DATING APPS HAVE HIGH FIELD OF AVAILABILITY SO LOCATION NO LONGER LIMITS PARTNERS CHOICE.