Attraction: Filter Theory

Question 1

Who proposed the concept of the filter theory?

Answer 1

Kerckhoff and Davis

Question 2

Briefly describe the term “filter theory”

Answer 2

We choose romantic partners by using a series of filters that narrow down the ‘field of available’ from which we might eventually make our choice.

Question 3

What are the stages in the filter theory?

Answer 3

1) Social democracy
2) Similarity in attitudes
3) Complementarity of needs

Question 4

Outline the role of social democracy in attraction

Answer 4

• age, social background and location, which determine the likelihood of individuals meeting in the first place
• more likely to come in contact with people from our own ethnic, social and educational groups, and those who live geographically close to us
• similar, more at ease,
• attraction to do with social rather than individual characteristics

Question 5

Outline the role off similarity of attitudes in attraction

Answer 5

• if people share similar attitudes, values and beliefs, communication is easier and so a relationship is likely to progress
• best predictor of a stable relationship
• through disclosure can weigh up decisions about whether to terminate or continue relationship
• differences in attitudes and values = not suitable and so filtered out fro, the field of possible long-term partners.

Question 6

Outline the role of complementarity of needs in attraction

Answer 6

• refers to how well two people fit together as a couple and meet each other’s needs.
• (e.g. the need to be caring and the need to be cared for)-people like this like each other because they provide each other with mutual satisfaction of these opposed needs.
• not the same as opposites attract, but in long term relationships people are attracted to others whose needs are ‘harmonious’ with their own rather than conflicting with them

Question 7

Outline the procedure of Kerckhoff and Davis study (1962)

Answer 7

• longitudinal study of 94 dating couple at Duke University
• Each partner in the study completed 2 questionnaires: one assessing similarity in attitudes, the other complementarity of needs
• 7 months after initial testing completed another questionnaire - to see how close they are
• Researchers believed that this would indicate ‘progress towards performance in the relationship

Question 8

Outline the findings of Kerckhoff and Davis Study (1962)

Answer 8

• Initially online similarity of attitudes appeared to be related to partner closeness
• When researchers divided into long-term and short-term couples (more or less than 18 months) = difference
• Short term = similarity
• Long term = complementarity of needs

Question 9

AO3

Is there research support for the filter theory?

Answer 9

P: Lack of research support - Levinger et al. (1970) failed to replicate results
E: In their study, 330 couples who were ‘steadily attached’ went through same procedures as Kerckhoff and Davis - no evidence of similarity of attitudes and complementarity of needs that influenced progress in relationship. - no evidence for length of relationship influencing variables
E: Could be because of changes in social values and courtship patterns over time

Question 10

AO3

What did Duck (1973) suggest was the real value of the filtering process?

Answer 10

P: Allows people to make predictions about future interactions and so avoid investing in a relationship that ‘won’t work’
E: During explorations, individual can disclose bits of info and get some in return. Based on these exchanges they can decide if they want to continue or end it before becoming too deeply involved with the other person.
E: This suggests, therefore, that the real value of the filtering is that it stops people making the wrong choice and then having to live with the consequences.

Question 11

AO3

Is perceived similarity more important than actual similarity?

Answer 11

P: It appears that perceived similarity is more important than actual similarity
E: Consistent with the assumptions of Kerckhoff and Davis second stage of the filtering process, some researchers have suggested perceived similarity predicts attraction more strongly than does actual similarity (Hoyle, 1993). Tidwell (2013) - tested this at a speed dating event measuring actual and perceived similarity using a questionnaire.
E: research - perceived>actual that predicted romantic liking for these couples.

Question 12

AO3

Is complementarity of needs important in attraction?

Answer 12

P: Support for ‘similarity-attraction’, but fore complementarity of needs = scarcer
E: Study of 760 singles on a dating site who were looking for a long-term mate. Participants’ personalities were measured and they were then asked to rate personality characteristics they desired in an ideal mate - they indicated complementarity but they found stronger correlations between their own personality and their ideal partner’s personality.
E: findings lent support to similarity not complementarity

Question 13

AO3

What is a weakness of the filter theory?

Answer 13

P: Kerckhoff and Davis - relationships progress due to shred attitudes and values with their partner and the possession of needs that complement their own. However, this may no longer be the case
E: Thornton and Young-Demarco - evidence of changed attitudes towards young American adults over time = weakening of attitudes to marry, mothers, gender roles etc.
E: As attitudes and values are changing over time many people are not aware of their partners’ values, needs or role preferences, this weakens the relevance of filtering theory to mate selection.