Relationships : Filter Theory Flashcards
Filter Theory
Filter theory is an explanation of attraction proposed by Kerckhoff and Davis (1962). This theory suggests that people develop relationships by applying a series of filters, such as similarity of social demographic factors and aqtudes and complementarity of needs, to narrow down the pool of available candidates.
Social Demography
Social demography is the first filter in Kerckhoff and Davis’s filter theory of attraction . It refers to variables such as age, social background and proximity (where someone lives in relations to us). People with whom we do not come into contact due to these variables, are ‘filtered out’ from the ‘field of availables’.
Similarity in Attitudes
Similarity in attitudes is a factor affecting attraction in romantic relationships; if two people share similar views and beliefs they will be able to communicate more easily which will help a relationship to form. Similarity of attitude is the second filter in Kerckhoff and Davis’ filter theory of attraction, and they found similarity of aqtudes to be important at the beginning of a relationship and a good predictor of whether a relationship is likely to become stable. They also found that
people with dissimilar attitudes are more likely to be ‘filtered out’ from the ‘field of availables’.
Complementarity
Complementarity is a factor which affects attraction in romantic relationships. It is also referred to as ‘complementarity of needs’ and is the final stage of filter theory. It refers to how well two people fit together (complement one another) and meet each other’s needs. For example, young women may feel attracted to older men who have more economic resources and can provide for them. In return, the older men are able to go out with a younger woman, which demonstrates their virility in attracting such a good ‘catch’.
Filter Theory
Kerckhoff and Davis (1962) studied student couples (mainly in short-term relationships of fewer than 18 months) and discovered several important criteria people use to choose a partner. They call these criteria ‘filters’, as they help people to sip through all potential partners to choose the right one.
What are the stages of the filter theory?
- sociodemographic characteristics
- similarity of attitudes
- complementarity
What is the sociodemographic characteristics?
The first level is that of sociodemographic characteristics, such as physical proximity, level of education, social class, religion and
other important factors people are likely to pay attention to when we are meeting a person for the first time.These factors are important, because people are more likely to build relationships with people who are geographically close, and whom they
are meeting frequently, as this gives them a greater chance to find out more about one another. People also find similarities in education, social class and religious beliefs attractive, as this gives them assurance that relationships are more likely to move forward.
What is similarity of attitudes?
the second level of filters that relates to similarity of attitudes. People tend to view others as more attractive if they share the same core beliefs and values, such as views on career and importance of family. Byrne (1997) noted that similarity of attitudes is especially important in earlier stages of relationships, for couples who have been together fewer than 18 months. Presence or absence of similarities is discovered through self-disclosure, which leads to greater feelings of intimacy in a couple. If partners have very little in common, however, relationships rarely develop beyond the first few dates.
What is Complementarity?
- If similarities are crucial at the early stages of relationships, it seems that for long- term couples the third filter, complementarity, plays a much more important role.
- Complementarity refers to each of the partners having some traits that the other partner lacks, and helping each other to fulfil their needs. For example, one partner may enjoy meeting new people and being socially proactive, and the other may enjoy being introduced to people rather than intimating social encounters themselves, and thus these two people would complement one other.
Support for filter theory?
There is some research support for filter theory. For example, Winch (1957) found that similarity of interests, attitude and personality traits were very important for couples in the beginning of relationships, and complementarity of needs had more impact on long-term relationships. In another study, Newcomb (1961) offered participants free accommodation for a year. They were assigned a room mate, and he found that a stable friendship developed if roommates had a similar background and similar attitudes to life.
Limitations of Filter theory
Replication
•Many studies have failed to replicate the original findings that formed Filter theory
•Due to social changes over time and the struggles to define the depth of a relationship – why an 18 month cut-off?
Direction of cause and effect
•Evidence to suggest that direction of causality in Filter theory is wrong
Anderson et al (2003)
•Longitudinal study – cohabiting partners became more similar in their responses over time – emotional convergence
Davis and usbult (2001)
•Attitude Alignment – romantic partners bring their attitudes in line with one another
