Filter theory Flashcards
(11 cards)
who presented this theory?
Kerchoff and Davis
What is it?
Individuals use a series of filters that operate at different stages of a relationship to narrow down a large field of available;able partners to a smaller field of desirable long term ones.
Which 2 stages apply to ST relationships
Social demography and similarity of attitudes
What stage applies to LT relationships
complementarity
Social demography
Includes factors such as physical proximity, level of education, ethnicity and social class. These factors make it more likely for relationships to form with those who are geographically close and whom they encounter frequently, giving more opps to interact w each other.
Similarity of attitudes
Core values and beliefs! like family, religion, or career goals. People tend to find others with similar attitudes more attractive, and can lead to stronger connection through self disclosure. Self disclosure allows individuals to share personal info, creating feelings of intimacy. If couples find that they have little in common, the relationship is unlikely to progress beyond the initial stages.
Complementarity
Becomes more significant. How well your traits complement your partners, psychologically and emotionally. Eg; one person may ne extraverted af, and the other is reserved, but still appreciated being intoerucued to new people. This dynamic creates a balanced, mutually satisfying relationship.
Gruber-Baldini - strength
conducted a longitudinal study over 7 years with 169 couples, found that those who were similar in educational levels and age at the start of the relationship were more likely to stay together in the LT. Supports Kerchief and Davis’s findings that sociodemographic factors are important in forming a relationship.
Less applicable to modern society!
Sociodemographic factors, like proximity may not be as influential today due to technology and online dating. People can connect regardless of geographical location or social background. Weakens temporal validity.
Western
Another limitation is that much of the supporting research comes from Western, individualist cultures, where individuals typically have greater freedom in choosing romantic partners. In contrast, in collectivist cultures—where arranged marriages are more common—individuals may not be free to choose their partners, meaning that filters like similarity of attitudes or complementarity are less likely to apply. This suggests that Filter Theory is culturally biased, as it may not explain relationship formation universally. This reduces the credibility of the theory across different cultural contexts.
Is it reductionist?
YES. Filter Theory has been criticised for being reductionist, as it simplifies complex human relationships by suggesting that partner choice can be explained by a few narrow filters. For example, the theory cannot explain why some individuals remain in unhappy or abusive relationships, despite a lack of complementarity or shared attitudes. This indicates that other psychological factors, such as low self-esteem, attachment styles, or past experiences, may play a more significant role in maintaining relationships. Therefore, a holistic approach that considers a wider range of influences may be more appropriate, increasing the validity of our understanding of romantic relationships.
