factors affecting attraction - filter theory

• what is filter theory?

  explains who we form relationships with and suggests our 'pool' of potential partners is reduced by a series of filters
• name the three filters in filter theory

  social demography similarities in attitudescomplementarity
• what does filter theory suggest?

  we have a 'field of availables' (whole set of people we could potentially form a relationship with) BUT not everyone who is available is desirable
• what do the filters do?

  narrow down our 'field of availables' to a 'field of desirables' who we'd have a successful romantic relationship with
• explain social demography + when does this filter operate?

  features that describe populations e.g. geographical location, class, ethnic groupfilter operates when deciding whether to start a relationship
• what is the effect of geographical proximity?

  people who live/work nearby are easily accessible so meeting up requires less effort we're likely to spend time with them so we'll likely form a romantic relationship people in the local area are usually of a similar social background so having shared interests/experiences makes them easier to get to know
• what is the effect of social factors?


  we likely avoid people whose background is very different to or own and form a relationship with someone socially + culturally similar as we have more in common in terms of knowledge, interests and beliefs - more attractive
• explain similarity in attitudes + when this filter operates?

  we find people attractive if they share our basic values + rule out those with very different attitudesagreement over basic values allows deeper communication and self-disclosure which deepens intimacy similarity tends to lead to attraction - without it, couples feel they have little in common so they'll break up filter operates in early stages of a relationship
• explain complementarity + when this filter operates?

  complementarity makes partners feel that they go together to form a 'whole' which makes a relationship more likely to succeed - similarity becomes less important overtime, it's replaced by needing your partner to meet your needs by balancing your traits with opposites of theirs filter operates in long term relationships
• give an example of complementarity


  one partner likes making the other laugh, the other likes being made to laugh (IWILLCRYTHISISSOWHOLESOMEMEANDWHO?)
• give two strengths of filter theory as a factor affecting attraction

  :) good face validity - theory agrees with most people's experiences of relationships + supported by a range of anecdotal evidence:) supported by research evidence - Wrinch et al found similarity of interests, personality + attitude are typical of early stages of a relationship whereas complementarity of needs is important in long term - filter theory is valid
• give two weaknesses of filter theory as a factor affecting attraction

  :( evidence suggests similarity doesn't bring successful relationships, long-term partners become similar instead e.g. Anderson et al - longitudinal study found cohabiting partners become more similar in emotional responses over time - proposal may be invalid :( lacks temporal validity - process of meeting available partners has changed due to online dating - field of availables is much larger + not as limited by geographical proximity so social demography may not operate as it did when the theory was proposed