Relationships- Filter theory

Question 1

What are the 3 filters in filter theory

Answer 1

-Similarity of Social Demographic Variables (proximity)
- Similarity in Attitudes
-Complementarity (how much we meet our partner needs)

Question 2

What does similarity of social demographic variables mean

Answer 2

Individuals with similar demographics to us. Where we work or live. Any religious groups or gym members. Educational and economic backgrounds.

Question 3

What does similarity in attitudes mean

Answer 3

More likely to meet people with similar attitudes and beliefs. E.g. you may meet someone at a protest march OR at the gym. Your choice will have been limited

Question 4

What does complementary mean

Answer 4

Focus here is on how much the individual meets their partners needs, especially emotional ones. Very important for moving past the initial stages of a relationship into deeper commitment.

Question 5

Evaluating filter theory -limited explanation

Answer 5

P- dating apps render parts of filter theory obsolete due to the mass accessibility they provide E-Dating apps such as tinder or hinge enable users to access a much wider range of mates. This means that elements which the filter theory deemed important, such as location are no longer a significant factor in dating. This is because now, people could meet people many miles away online.L- Therefore filter theory is limited in explaining natural behavioural phenomenon in modern r/ships

Question 6

Evaluating filter theory -Evidence (Festinger)

Answer 6

P- There is empirical support for the filter theory by Festinger E- Found that people who lived nearer the stairwells in apartment blocks knew the most people in the block. L- This suggests that familiarity is an important element of r/ships and supports the filter theory, in particular the idea that social demographics play a role in romantic R/ships

Question 7

Evaluating filter theory - Evidence (Taylor)

Answer 7

P- Likewise Taylor et al found that ethnicity (i.e. social demographics) was an important factor in selecting a partner.
E-He found that 85% of Americans who got married in 2008 were married to someone of their own ethnicities.
E-Hence, they shared lots of their demographics and arguably this helped formulate the r/ship.
L- This further supports the idea of our social demographics being important in relationships.

Question 8

Evaluating the filter theory -deterministic

Answer 8

P- The filter theory’s emphasis on societal factors largely influencing potential partners is very deterministic.
E- it suggests we have little control over potential mates and that the filtering of individuals outside of our location and social circles occurs before we even start to look for partners.
E- This could be argued to be a negative factor because it implies we are not in full control over our r/ship behaviour and ignores aspects like greater experience shaping our r/ships e.g. the power of self disclosure
L- This implies that without acknowledging the role of freewill in R/ships - filter theory is quite pessimistic