Filter theory

• What do people consider when choosing a partner?

  Available options and personal criteria
• Why do people apply criteria when choosing a partner?

  To narrow down the pool of availables
• What are the three factors linked to attractiveness according to filter theory?

  Background similarity, core values, complementary traits
• What are the three levels of filter in partner selection?

  1. Social demography
  2. Similarity of attitudes
  3. Complementarity
• What does the first filter, social demography, imply?

  Choices are limited by social circumstances
• What does homogamy mean in partner selection?

  Choosing someone socially or culturally similar
• Why do people find similarities in education and social class attractive?

  It assures relationship progression
• What is the second filter in partner selection?

  Similarity of attitudes
• What did Byrne (1997) note about similarity of attitudes?

  It's crucial in early relationship stages
• How is similarity discovered in relationships?

  Through self-disclosure
• What happens if partners have little in common?

  Relationships rarely progress beyond first dates
• What does the third filter, complementarity, refer to?

  Partners fulfilling each other's needs
• In a complementary relationship, what might one partner enjoy?

  Being socially proactive
• AO3 STRENGTH: What is a strength of filter theory?

  It is supported by research evidence
• Who supports the idea of filter theory?

  Gruber-Baldini et al
• What did Gruber-Baldini et al carry out?

  A longitudinal study of couples aged 21
• What did Gruber-Baldini et al?

  Those who were more similar in education level and age at the start of the relationship, were more likely to to stay together and have a successful relationship
• AO3 WEAKNESS: What is a weakness of sociodemographic factors?

  They may not play as big of a role in the development of relationships nower days
• Why may sociodemograaphic factors not be such a big thing nower days?

  Due to the likes of dating apps
• What are people more likely to do nower days compared to 20-30 years ago?

  Develop relationships with someone who is not in their geographical proximity or from the same culture
• What does sociodemographic factors' weaknesses mean for filter theory?

  It makes Filter theory's claims less valid in today's society than it was when it was first developed
• AO3 WEAKNESS: What is hard to establish with levels of filter theory?

  Causality
• Who suggests that the levels of filter theory cause attraction?

  Kerchkoff and Davis
• However what do some researchers argue about the causality of similarity of attitudes?

  It should be reversed (Anderson)
• What did Anderson argue?

  From the results of their longitudinal study, partners in long term relationships become more alike over time rather than being similar from the start
• What do Anderson's finding suggest?

  Similarity of attitudes is an effect of the attraction rather than the cause
• AO3 WEAKNESS (ISSUES AND DEBATES): What is most the supporting research for filter theory based on?

  Individualist, western cultures
• What do Individualist cultures value in relationships?

  Free choice in relationships, and describe the choice of partners in terms of individual preferences