Relationships-Filter Theory (Factors Affecting Attraction)

Question 1

• Filter theory:

Answer 1

Kirchhoff & Davies (1962) argue while the “field of availables” is very large (all the people we could theoretically form a relationship with) we only actually become attracted to those people who pass through a series of filters, these people form the “field of desirables”.

Question 2

• 1st filter:

Answer 2

Social demography: We are more likely to come into contact with people who live nearby and people who share characteristics like social class, level of education and economic status.

Question 3

• 2nd filter:

Answer 3

Similarity in attitudes: Due to social demography, we are more likely to come into contact with people with similar core values; these people are seen as more attractive/ compatible. These shared attitudes also help to encourage self-disclosure at the start of relationships.

Question 4

• 3rd filter:

Answer 4

Complementarity: We are attracted to those people who provide for our emotional needs. In this way, partners can have mutually beneficial differences. For example, one partner may like to organise the couple’s social activities while the other is happy to attend planned events. If both wanted to manage the schedule, this might lead to conflict. This is seen as important for the success of long-term relationships.

Question 5

✅ Kirchhoff & Davies (1962),

Answer 5

In a longitudinal study of student dating couples, found similarity of attitudes was the most important factor for short-term relationships (less than 18 months) and complementarity was the most important factor in long-term relationships.

Question 6

❌ incompatible partners

Answer 6

It could be that people initially pick incompatible partners with different attitudes. The correlation of similar values seen in long-term couples could be explained by beliefs converging over time as partners communicate. Also, complementarity may develop over time dunto each partner finding their role within a relationship.

Question 7

❌temporal validity

Answer 7

Filter theory lacks temporal validity; changing attitudes, globalisation, and migration have resulted in more frequent relationship formations across ethnicities and cultures; also, virtual relationships enabled by dating apps lack traditional filters like social demograpny.

Question 8

Field of availables -

Answer 8

The entire set of potential romantic partners, all the people we could realistically form a relationship with.

Question 9

Field of desirables -

Answer 9

From the field of availables, those who are attractive to us.

Question 10

Law of attraction -

Answer 10

The idea that we find similarity of attitudes attractive.

Question 11

Complementarity -

Answer 11

Similarity becomes less important as a relationship develops, and is replaced by a need for your partner to balance your traits with opposite ones of their own.

Question 12

Homogamy -

Answer 12

The idea that you are more likely to form a relationship with someone who is socially or culturally similar to yourself.

Question 13

Proximity

Answer 13

This is one of the social demographic factors that influence the chances of potential partners meeting each other in the first place.

Question 14

Beliefs and values

Answer 14

Partners will often share important beliefs and values. This is due initially to the fact that the field of availables has atready been narrowed by the first filter to those who have significant social and cultural characteristics in common with us. This similarity is considered attractive.

Question 15

The ability to meet a partner’s needs

Answer 15

This is about the complementarity filter - two partners complement each other when they have traits that the other lacks and may be attracted for this reason.

Question 16

Filters Model:
Kerchkoff and Davies (1962)

Answer 16

To study the model, Kerkoff and Davies conducted a study using students in a relationship for less than 18 months (short term) with thöse in a relationship for over 18 months (long term). Using self-report questionnaires, the study found that attitude similarity was the most important factor up to 18 months.
However in the long term couples complimenting each others needs became the most important factor.

Question 17

It is suggested that key factors differ at different times in the relationship - how did Winch’s (1958) research support this idea?

Answer 17

Winch (1958) found that similarities of personality, interests and attitudes between partners are typical of the earliest stages of a relationship. Between partners happily married for several years, complementarity of needs is more important that similarity, according to Winch.

Question 18

Explain why filter theory may be assuming the wrong direction of causality.

Answer 18

The theory assumes that people are initially attracted to each other because they are similar in various ways but it has also been found that cohabiting partners became more similar in their emotional responses over time and also that attitudes become aligned.

Question 19

Some people suggest that online sites have changed the dating game and this theory is no longer valid. Explain what psychologists have found in this regard.

Answer 19

Many relationships now start online and it is suggested that the filtering does not work in the same way. For example, the use of the Internet, etc., means that proximity is less important than previously.

Question 20

A03: Proximity Evidence

Answer 20

Festinger et al (1950)
-Observed friendships that formed in a block of apartments for married students.
Students lived across 17 buildings.
• Students were 10 x’s as likely to form a friendship with people who lived in their own building.
Interestingly the most popular people lived nearest to the staircases and post-boxes because they were most likely to be ‘bumped’ into.
This is called functional distance.

Question 21

A03: Attractiveness Evidence

Answer 21

Walster et al (1966)
Advertised a “computer dance” for students during fresher’s week. As students arrived, four independent judges assessed each student’s physical attractiveness.
• The participants were asked to fill ir a questionnaire, for use in the computer pairing. In fact the questionnaire was used to provide data about similarity and the pairing was random. During the dance, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about the dance and their dates.

The more physically attractive students were liked more by their partners than the less attractive students.
Attractiveness proved to be the most important factor in liking, above qualities such as intelligence and personality and was also the best predictor of the likelihood that they would see each other again.

Question 22

Synoptic

Culture:

Answer 22

Based on Western Culture where we can interact with lots of people as we live in an urban setting. There are more opportunities.

Question 23

Synoptic

• Gender Roles:

Answer 23

Have they changed dramatically in 50 years? How could this influence the filters? This may affect the validity of the theory.

Question 24

Synoptic

• Reductionism:

Answer 24

What about biological factors? In Evolution, our ancestors chose a mate on the basis of survival. The men would seek a female who could give birth to and nurture their offspring in order to pass on the best genes.

Question 25

Synoptic
• Individual differences:

Answer 25

Ignores the influence of early childhood experience and attachment style.
What about persona traits?

Question 26

Synoptic

Date:

Answer 26

Outdated. The theory was created 50 years ago.
Have relationships changed since then? There were less transport links and no internet. It is easier to be close in proximity and to be mobile today. Internet dating and long distance relationships common today!

Question 27

Synoptic

• Determinism:

Answer 27

The theory assumes we make unconscious decisions based on the filters. What about being able to make conscious choices?