Relationships-Filter Theory; Including Social Demographic

Question 1

Who created the filter theory model?

Answer 1

Kerchkoff + Davies

Question 2

How did Kerchkoff + Davies find this model?

Answer 2

Compared short-term student couples (under 18 months) with long-term couples (over 18 months)- questionnaires revealed couples felt similarity in attitudes most important until 18 months- after which complementarity seen as most important showing the significance of different factors as relationship progresses

Question 3

What are the three ways of filtering?

Answer 3

• Social Demographic-Location, social class
• Similarity in attitudes- Basic values and attitudes

Complementarity-Harmoniousness of needs (bring out best in each other_

Question 4

How do we use filtering to people that we want?

Answer 4

We get field from availables from social demographic and reduce it using the other filters leading to field of desirables

Question 5

What is a study showing the proximity of location is important in a relationship?

Answer 5

Bossard (1932)- 5000 couples studied and found over half of them lived in very close proximity to each other before married

Question 6

How does the second stage, similarity of attitudes work?

Answer 6

Once field has been narrowed, partners with similar psychological factors such as attitudes and shared beliefs are looked for

Question 7

What is a study supporting the idea that similar attitudes are important?

Answer 7

Byrne (1997) noted similarity of attitudes especially important in earlier stages of relationships

Question 8

How does the last and final stage, complementarity work?

Answer 8

In final stage of theory, which occurs in long-term relationships, attraction to potential partner is filtered according to ability to complement and meet emotional needs

Question 9

What are the positives of Filter theory?

Answer 9

• Has face validity; does appear to explain what many people subconsciously do when meeting someone
• Supported by numerous scientific case studies and research support

Question 10

What are the negatives of Filter Theory?

Answer 10

• Correlation; does not establish cause and effect as there too many variables that affect relationships and filtering may only be one of many
• Lacks temporal validity as in past e.g. proximity may have mattered more however due to transport improvement not as relevant as before