Filter Theory

• Kirchoff + Davies (1962)


  Argue that although there is a wide "field of availabilities", we use the "field of desirabilities" to become attracted
• Stages of Filter Theory:

  • Social Demography - who we come into contact with, sharing similar characteristics e.g. class, education
  • Similarity in Attitudes - core values, more attractive, encourage self disclosure
  • Complementarity - provide for emotional needs, fit eachothers strengths/weaknesses
• (+) A03: Kirchoff + Davies (1962)


  Longitudinal study of student couples

  • Found similarity of attitudes was the most important factor for short term relationships
  • Found complementarity was most important for long term relationships
• (-) A03: Alternative Explanation


  Attraction could be that people initially pick incompatible partners with different attitudes, and the long term values converge over time as partners communicate, finding roles in the relationship
• (-) A03: Temporal Validity


  Lacks temporal validity due to societies views changing due to attitudes, gloablisation and migration, alongside the introduction of dating apps which eliminate social demography