Factors Affecting Attraction Filter Theory

Question 1

What did researcher suggest about when selecting from a range of people who are available to them ?

Answer 1

(‘A field of availbles’) not all available partners are desirable thus people will use 3 filters to narrow the choice

Question 2

Social demography

Answer 2

Factors such as ethnic group level of education , religion

Realistic field of availbles is constrained by social circumstance

Outcome of his filter is homogamy, more likely to form a relationship with someone who is socially and culturally simmiler

Question 3

Similarity in attitudes

Answer 3

Found to be importantly but only for those who had been together for less than 18 months

Similarity of basic values allows deeper communication and self disclosure

If it does not exist partners have little in common and relationship will fizzle out

Question 4

Complementaritiy

Answer 4

Research suggest partners need to be able to ‘meet eacthothers needs’

2 partners complement eachother when they have traits the other one lack

In other words opposites attract

Complementary adds depth to the relationship

Question 5

RTS filter theory

Answer 5

Conducted a longitudinal study

Both partners in dating couples completed a questionnaire to asses similarity in attitudes and complementary of needs

Found closeness in relationships was associated with similarity of values supports as it provides evidence similarity Is important in early stages whereas complementary is imports t for later stages

Increasing validity of filter theory as a factor affecting attraction

Question 6

Criticised for lacking temporal validity

Answer 6

Theory was created in 1962

Since then there has been a rise in online dating

Some argue it’s reduced the importance of some social demographic variables

E.g geographical location

Thus filter theory may not be appropriate in modern society as a factor affecting attraction

Question 7

Limitation of the idea of complementary in filter theory as a factor affecting attraction

Answer 7

May not apply to all types of relatiships

Research has found lesbian related equal dominance in there long-term relatiships

Lowering validity of complementary theory as an explanation of factor affecting attraction

As similarity of needs may be a better predictor of attraction