Factors Affecting Attraction: Filter Theory Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Factors Affecting Attraction: Filter Theory Deck (19)
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1
Q

What is the filter theory

A

Fields of availabilities and fields of desirables

2
Q

How does the filter theory explain attraction

A

In terms of attitudes and personalities

3
Q

What do we consider first

A

The field of availables (pool of potential partners who are accessible to us)

4
Q

What do we consider after the field of availables

A

From this we select field of desirables via three filters of varying importance at different stages of a relationship

5
Q

What are the three levels

A
  1. Social demography
  2. Similarity in attitudes
  3. Complementarity
6
Q

What is social demography

A

Such as social class or education

7
Q

What are demographics

A

Features that describe populations - social demographics include geographical location and social class

8
Q

What does the social demography level state

A

You are more likely to meet and have meaningful encounters with people who are physically close and share other features with yourself

9
Q

What happens if anyone is too different

A

They are not a potential partner and is filtered out before the next stage

10
Q

What is similarity in attributes

A

Sharing beliefs and values

11
Q

Why are similarity in attitudes important

A

Important to develop romantic relationships only for couples who had been together less than 18 months

12
Q

What does an early relationship need

A

Agreeing promotes better communication and self-disclosure

13
Q

What is the law of attraction

A

Byrne found that similarity in attitudes causes mutual attraction - where similarity does not exists it is found that often the relationship fades out after a few dates

14
Q

What is complimentarity

A

Partners compliment each other when they have traits that the other person lacks e.g. One partner may enjoy making the other laugh, and in turn they enjoy someone making them laugh

15
Q

When is complimentarity important

A

In longer term/ later stages of a relationship

16
Q

What is complementarity thought to create

A

Thought to give the romantic partners feeling of togetherness and β€˜making a whole’
E.g. Partners will feel like they are meeting each other’s needs if one likes nurturing and the other enjoys being cared for

17
Q

Name a strength of the filter theory

A

Research support - Winch

18
Q

What did Winch find?

A

Similarities in personality, interests and attitudes between partners are typical of early stages of a relationship but complementarity of needs increases in importance - supports two proposed filter theories

19
Q

Name a limitation of the filter theory

A

Lack of replication of original findings - social change and difficulties in defining the depth of a relationship could be the reason for lack of replicability