factors affecting attraction: filter theory

• in summary, what is filter theory

  explanation of relationship formation stating a series of factors progressively limit the range of available romantic partners to a smaller pool of possibilities
• describe kerchoff and davis’ research, what do they say

  compared attitudes/personalities of student couples in short-term relationships (<18m) and long-term relationships (>18m)

  says we have a field of availables (everyone we could realistically form a relationship with) but they’re not all desirable to us
• how is the field of availables narrowed down

  through 3 levels of a ‘filter’ to a field of desirables 

  each level of the filter has differing levels of importance at each stage of a relationship
• What is the first level of the filter in relationship formation?

  Social demography
• How do social demographic factors influence partner meeting chances?

  They affect the likelihood of potential partners meeting
• Why are we more likely to meet people with similar demographic characteristics?

  Because they are physically close to us
• What type of interactions are most meaningful or memorable?

  Interactions with people nearby
• What does proximity allow in terms of meeting people?

  It allows for easier accessibility
• How does social circumstance affect the field of potential partners?

  It narrows choices to those similar to us
• What is the outcome of the narrowing of potential partners?

  Homogamy occurs, favoring similar partners
• What is homogamy in relationship formation?

  Forming relationships with culturally similar individuals
• Why is similarity of attitudes important in relationships?

  It encourages communication and self-disclosure
• For which couples is similarity of attitudes particularly important?

  Couples together for less than 18 months
• What does Byrne's 'law of attraction' state?

  Similarity causes attraction
• What happens if there is little similarity in attitudes?

  Relationships may fizzle out quickly
• What is the third level of the filter in relationship formation?

  Complementarity
• What does complementarity involve in relationships?

  Meeting each other's needs and balancing traits
• How do partners complement each other?

  By having traits the other lacks
• Who found that complementarity is important for long-term couples?

  Kerchoff & Davis
• What does complementarity add to a relationship?

  Depth and a sense of wholeness
• What research supports filter theory?

  • Kerchoff & Davis conducted a longitudinal study
  • Couples completed questionnaires on values/attitudes
  • Closeness measured 7 months later
  • Closeness linked to similarity for couples <18m
  • For long-term couples, closeness linked to complementarity
• What is a criticism of filter theory regarding reliability?

  • Many failures to replicate original findings
  • Levinger attributes this to social change
  • Online dating affects demographic variables
  • Relationship depth definitions may be inappropriate
• What is unclear about the direction of cause and effect in filter theory?

  Initial attraction may not be due to similarity
• What evidence contradicts filter theory's assumptions?

  • Anderson et al. found emotional convergence
  • Davis & Rusbult found attitude alignment
  • Suggests similarity is an effect, not a cause
• How has modern dating affected filter theory's relevance?

  It has reduced the importance of demographic variables
• What factor may have become more important in modern attraction?

  Physical attractiveness
• What is unclear about the importance of complementarity in relationships?

  • Complementarity may not be central to all long-term relationships
  • Markey & Markey found satisfaction in equal dominance
  • Suggests similarity of needs may be more important
• What does the research by Markey & Markey suggest about long-term couples?

  Equal dominance leads to higher satisfaction
• What does the failure to support central predictions of filter theory do?

  Reduces its credibility