Relationships

• What is the evidence for filter theory

  Winch - Found similarities of personality and attitudes between partners are typical in earliest stages of relationships. Echoes the matching hypothesis. In married couples, complementarity of needs is more important than similarity
• Expand on the failure to replicate ao3 for filter theory

  Levinger - Many studies cannot be replicated for findings that formed basis of filter theory due to social changes and difficulties in defining depth of a relationship in terms of its length
• Expand on the direction of cause and effect ao3 for filter theory

  Anderson et al - Longitudinal study found cohabiting couples became more similar in their emotional responses over time.

  Davis & Rusbult - Romantic partners overtime bring their attitudes in line with one another
• What is emotional convergence

  Anderson et al - Emotional responses getting similiar
• What is attitude alignment effect

  Acknowledged by Davis and Rusbult - The idea that romantic partners overtime bring their attitudes into line with one another
• What is the social exchange theory of relationships

  Thibault & Kelly - Most behaviour reflects economic assumptions of exchange. We try to minimises loses and maximise gains and jude satisfaction with a relationship in terms of profit it yields
• What are rewards, costs and profits in the SE theory

  Rewards can include companionship and emotional support.

  Blau - Relationships can be expensive so costs include time stress energy and more.

  Relationship incurs an economic cost as they cannot invest elsewhere
• What are levels of comparison

  Used to assess how profitable someones relationship is
• What is the comparison level

  Subjective and depends on previous romantic experiences and cultural norms which are reinforced by media. Closely linked to self esteem. Relationships are pursued if they are equal or better than previous relationships
• What is the comparison level for alternatives (CLalt)

  Person's perception of whether other potential relationships would be more rewarding than current. People will stick in current relationship if they find them more profitable than alternatives