Filter theory

Question 1

What is the filter theory

Answer 1

Kerchoff and David (1962) proposed we use filtering to reduce the field of available partners down to a field of desirable partners.

When we meet a potential partner we engage in three levels of filtering; social demography, similarity in attitude, and complementarity.

Question 2

Three levels of filtering

Answer 2

1.Social Demography – We look for partners based on age, sex, education, similar backgrounds etc.

2.Similarity in Attitudes – We choose people who have similar attitudes to our own.

3.Complementarity – In the longer term we choose people who complement our own traits.

Question 3

Filter theory eval (+)

Answer 3

+) Support from Taylor (2010) – Social Demography:
Taylor found that 85% of Americans who married in 2008 married within their own ethnic group, supporting the idea that social demographic factors (e.g. ethnicity, class, proximity) play a major role in partner selection—especially in early stages of relationships.

+) Support from Hoyle (1993) and Tidwell – Attitude Similarity:
Hoyle showed that perceived similarity in attitudes predicts attraction better than actual similarity. Tidwell confirmed this in a speed dating study, where perceived attitude similarity (measured via questionnaires) predicted romantic liking more than actual similarity, supporting the second filter—similarity of attitudes.

Question 4

Filter theory eval (-)

Answer 4

Levinger (1970) – No Long-Term Predictive Power:
In a study of 330 couples, Levinger found no significant link between similarity of attitudes or complementarity and relationship permanence. This questions the theory’s ability to predict long-term relationship success.

Contradicted by Emotional Convergence (Anderson, 2003):
Anderson’s longitudinal study of cohabiting partners found that partners became more similar over time, rather than starting out that way. This suggests that attitudinal similarity develops through interaction, contradicting Filter Theory’s claim that similarity is what causes initial attraction.

Outdated Due to Online Dating Trends:
Modern research shows that online dating reduces the impact of social demographic filters. People now more easily meet partners from different backgrounds, classes, ethnicities, or locations. This undermines the theory’s relevance today, as social demography plays less of a filtering role than it did in the past.