Filter theory

• Filter theory


  This is an explanation of who we form relationships with. It suggests our 'pool' of potential partners is progressively refuced by a series of filter.

  
  

  ● 'pool of desirables' (everyone that you could potentially form a relationships with but not everyone available is desirable) -> 'pool of desirables' (form successful relationships with
• What do the filters include?


  1. Social demography

  2. Similarities in attitudes

  3. Complementarity
• Filter 1 - social demography


  These are features that describe a population, eg; geographical location, social class, level of education, ethnic group etc.
• Geographical proximity

  People who live &/ work more closely together -> more easily accessible -> meeting up requires less Effort -> more likely to meet up & spend time together -> increase likelihood of forming a romantic relationship + local area -> more similar social background, and shared interests & experiences -> easier to get to know
• Social factors


  We're more likely to form relationship with a person who is socially and culturally similar (eg; class, ethnicity, religion etc) -> more likely to have more in common and share knowledge, interests and beliefs -> other person becomes more attractive
• Filter 2: similarity in attitudes

  ● operates in the early stages of relationships

  ● share basic values and attitudes -> attractive

  ● agreement over basic values -> encourages greater and deeper communication and self disclosure -> deepens intimacy of the relationship

  ● similarity -> attraction
• Filter 3: complentarity


  ● this filter operates within long term relationships

  ● over time similarity becomes less important and is replaced by the need for your partner to meet your needs by balancing your traits with opposite ones of their own - 'opposites attract'

  ● eg; one might like to make the other laugh and the other likes being made to laugh

  ● form a 'whole' -> add depth to relationship & more likely to succeed
• Evaluation - filter theory


  😊 SUPPORTED BY RESEARCH EVIDENCE : WRINCH found that similarity of interests, personality and attitudes are typical of early stage of relationship & Complementarity of needs is more important in LT relationships - VALID

  
  

  😊 GOOD FACE VALIDITY : it agrees with with most people's experiences of relationships / supported by a wide range of anecdotal evidence

  
  

  🙁 LACK VALIDITY: research evidence to suggest similarity doesn't bring about successful relationships/ the effect is the other way round; ANDERSON ET AL. in a longitudinal study found partners become more similar in their emotional responses over time

  
  

  🙁 LACKS TEMPORAL VALIDITY : process of meeting available partners has been changed by online dating -> relationships no longer limited by geographical proximity -> first filter of social demography may no longer operate in the same way it did when the theory was proposed.