AO1

• What is the outcome of social demography filtering?

  Homogamy
• What is homogamy?


  When you are more likely to form a relationship with someone who is socially or culturally similar
• Who suggested filter theory?

  Kerckhoff and Davis
• What does filter theory suggest?

  We have a field of available: all potential romantic partners, all the people we could form a relationship with. But not everyone who is available is desirable
• Filter of available —> filter of desirables
• What are the 3 filters?

  Similarity of attitudes, social demography, complementarity of needs
• What is the 1st level filter?

  Social demography
• What is the 2nd level filter?

  Similarity of attitudes
• What is the 3rd level filter?

  Complementarity of needs
• What is social demography?

  Influence the chances of potential partners meeting each other. E.g. Geographical location (proximity), social class, level of education, ethnic group, religion
• What are the benefits of proximity? (social demography)

  Give potential partners a greater chance to find out about one another
• What are the benefits of similar social traits (education, class, religion..)?

  People feel that relationships are more likely to move forward because you have more in common (in terms of norms, attitudes and experiences)
• Most of us find shared demographic similarity attractive. Those who are too different is discounted as a potential partner. The outcome is that you are more likely to form a relationship with someone who is socially or culturally similar
• Similarity of attitudes was important to the development of romantic relationships. Partners need to agree over basic values in the earlier stage. People view others as more attractive if they share the same core beliefs and values. e.g. career, family
• Similarity causes attraction (law of attraction).
• Establishing similarity of attitudes is particularly important in the earlier stages of relationships (first 18 months)
• What is complementarity of needs?

  Each of the partners having some traits that the other partner lack and helping each other to fulfil their needs
• Why is the need for complementarity more important for long term couples?

  Complementarity gives partners the feeling that together they form a whole, making the relationship more likely to flourish. (long term opposites attract)