Filter theory

• Filter Theory (Kerschoff and Davis)

  There are three aspects:

  Social Demography

  Similarity in Attitudes

  Complementarity
• What is the filter theory?


  A theory of romantic attraction that describes how we states that we find romantic partners from converting a field of availables to a field of desirables
• Social demography

  • Wide range: geographical location, social class, level of education, ethnicity, religion etc
  • More likely to meet people who are physically close and share demographic characteristics
  • Constrains us, anyone not fitting is rejected
  • Effect = homogany (forming a relationship with someone who is socially or culturally similar)
• Similarity in attitudes

  • Partners often share important beliefs and values already thanks to the first filter
  • Kerschoff and Davis found similarity of attitudes essential to the development of a relationship but only couples who had been together less than 18 months - promotes self-disclosure
  • Byrne(1997) says we find similarity attractive = law of attraction
• Complementarity

  • The ability of partners to meet each others needs
  • Partners compliment each other when one partner has traits that the other lacks
  • Important for long term couples
  • Opposites attract
  • Gives romantic partners the feeling they form a whole = attractive and adds depth to a relationship