Filter Theory

Question 1

Define Filter Theory.

Answer 1

The idea that we choose romantic partners by using a series of filters that narrow down the available number of potentials from which we eventually make a choice.

Question 2

Define Filters.

Answer 2

Criteria which help people fit through all potential partners to choose the right one.

Question 3

What are the 3 Filters?

Answer 3

1. Social Demography.
2. Similarity in Attitudes.
3. Complimentary of Needs.

Question 4

What did Kerckhoff and Davis (1962) do?

Answer 4

• longitudinal study of 94 student couples in short term relationships.
• completed questionnaires on similarity in attitudes and complimentary of needs.

Question 5

What did Kerckhoff and Davis (1962) find?

Answer 5

• for short term couples: similarity of attitudes and beliefs was most significant predictor of how close they felt.
• for long term couples: only complimentary of needs was predictive of how close they felt.

Question 6

Explain the Social Demography Filter.

Answer 6

• refers to variables such as age, social background and geographical location.
• reduces the range of people that are available for us to meet.
• these people are more attractive because we have more in common with them.
• in this filter, attraction is more about social rather than individual characteristics.

Question 7

Explain the Similarity in Attitudes Filter.

Answer 7

• involves individuals psychological characteristics such as agreement on beliefs and basic values.
• found to be very important at the start of a relationship and was best resistor of the relationship becoming stable.
• people with different values and beliefs are deemed unsuitable so are ‘filtered out.’

Question 8

Explain the Complimentary of Needs Filter.

Answer 8

• people with different needs like each other because they can provide each other with mutual satisfaction of these opposed needs e.g they need to be caring and the partner wants to be cared for.
• finding a partner that compliments them ensures their own needs are met.

Question 9

Evaluating: What did Gruber-Baldini et al (1995) find?

Answer 9

• supports: partners at a similar age and education level at the start of a relationship were more likely th vase success in their relationship.

Question 10

Evaluating: Give one strength of the Filter Theory.

Answer 10

• it has ‘face validity’ meaning people can easily understand and relate to it.

Question 11

Evaluating: Why is The Filter Theory Becoming Less Valid?

Answer 11

• because of the use of technology, social demographics are no longer a filer as people chat to people from all around the world.

Question 12

Evaluating: What did Levinger et al (1970) do?

Answer 12

• Weakness: failed to replicate Kerckhoff and Davis’ results.