Evaluation

• S: Research support - A longitudinal study was conducted by Kirchoff and Davies (1962) in which both partners in a couple completed a questionnaire to assess complementarity and level 2 (attitudes) of the filter theory. The closeness of the relationship was measured using another questionnaire 7 months later. It was found that closeness was associated with similarity of values but only for couples who had been together less than 18 months. In longer relationships, complementarity predicted closeness.
• Counterpoint - Levinger (1974) pointed out that many studies failed to replicate original findings of K+D. This was suggested to have been due to social changes over time and problems in defining the depth of a relationship. K+D chose 18 months as a cut off point distinguishing LT and short term relationships. It was assumed that partners together for longer were more comitted.
• x-Problems with complementarity - Complementarity may not be central to all long term relationships. The filter theory predicts the most satisfying relationship to be where partners are complementary eg. submission vs. dominant. Markey et al (2013) found lesbian couples to be of equal domination being most satisfied. The couples had been involved romantically for an average of 4 and a half years. Suggests similarity of needs is more important than complementarity for Long term satisfaction.
• x-Actual vs perceived similarity - Actual similarity more important than perceived. this was supported by a meta-analysis of 313 studies by Montoya (2008). Similarity affected attraction in the short term. in the real world, perceived similarity is a higher factor in prediction of attraction. perceived similarity was not predicted by the filter model.