A01

• • the theory proposes we choose romantic partners by using a series of filters to narrow down the 'field of availables' from who we make our final choice
  • kerckhoff and Davis discovered that various filtering factors were present at different stages of the relationship
• filter 1=social demography

  • refers to age, social background and location
  • social circumstances may reduce the amount of people we meet
  • we find people of the same social demography more attractive as they have more in common with us(social factors over individual factor)
• filter 2=similarity in attitudes

  • an individuals psychological charactersitics- attitudes and values
  • kerckhoff and davis found successfull long term relationships seem to where couples have similar attitudes and personalities
  • through disclosure, partners able to weigh up their decision to continue or terminate relationship
• filter 3= complementary of needs

  • 2 people compliment eachother to form a 'whole'
  • supporting common belief opposites attract
  • eg a young woman who lacks economic resources may feel attracted to someone with money
• supportive research-kerckhoff and davis

  • used 94 dating couples at USA university
  • each partner completed an initial 2 questionaires relating to 1)shared attitudes and values 2)complementary needs
  • 7 months later completed a 3rd questionaire to assess how close they felt now compared to at beginning

  findings= those dating for less than 18 months shared similarity of attitudes and values was significant to how close they felt to partner. compared to LONG TERM= complementary needs most important factor