Filter Theory
Cards (8)
- Filter TheoryA series of different factors reduces the range of available partners you may come across
- What are the 3 filters in the filter theory?
- Social Demography
- Similarity in attitudes
- Complementarity
- Social Demography
- Refers to a wide range of factors which influence our partner choice
- This includes location, social class and religion
- The outcome of this is finding someone culturally or socially similar because of accessibility
- Similarity in attitudes
- Partners may share important beliefs and values
- Similarity in attitudes was important for short term relationships
- Partners need to agree over basic values and can encourage self disclosure
- Complementarity
- Meeting the needs of your partner
- People complement each other when one partner has something the other person lacks
- The need for complementarity is more important for long term couples
- Opposites attract and it makes partners feel whole
- AO3 Filter Theory: Research Support
- Researchers conducted a longitudinal study where couples completed questionnaires to assess similarity of attitudes and complementarity
- Results found closeness was associated with similarity of values but only for couples who had been together short term
- Closeness was associated with complementarity and applies to people who had been in long term relationships
- AO3 Filter Theory: Social Change
- Demographic factors reduces the people we can be with
- Dating apps and social media have made it easier to communicate with people that you never would have before
- This invalidates the filter theory as the first filter is not valid due to change in society
- AO3 Filter Theory: Problems with complementarity
- Complementarity may not be central to all long term relationships
- In long term relationships opposites tend to attract
- However lesbian couples of equal dominance were satisfied and they had a mean time of more than 4 years
- Similarity of needs may be associated with long term satisfaction in some couples