Filter theory

Filter theory

An explanation of relationship formation.

States that a series of different factors progressively reduces the range of available romantic partners to a much smaller pool of possibilities.

Includes social demography, similarity in attitudes and complementarity.

Social demography

Demographics - features that describe populations.

Social demographics focus on geographical location and social class.

Such factors filter out a large number of available partners.

This means many relationships are formed between partners who share social demographic characteristics

E.g. Social class, Level of education, Ethnic group.

Our choices are limited by social circumstances. People who are too ‘different’ are discounted.

Homogamy - More likely to form a relationship with someone who is socially or culturally similar

Similarity in attitudes

We are attracted to partners who share our basic values in the earlier stages of a relationship, and tend to discount available individuals who differ from us in attitudes.

Important for the development of relationships but mainly for the first 18 months.

There is a need for partners to agree over basic values which matter to them. Leads to deeper and greater communication - promotes self-disclosure.

If similarity does not exist, the relationship will fizzle out.

Complementarity

Similarity becomes less important as a relationship develops, and is replaced by a need for your partner to balance your traits with opposite ones of their own.

The need for complementarity is more important for longterm couples (Kerckhoff and Davis).

Complementarity is attractive as it gives the feeling that 2 partners form a whole together and adds depth to the relationship.

S Kerckhoff + Davis

Research support

Longitudinal study where both partners in dating couples did questionnaires to assess similarity of attitudes and complementarity.

Relationship ‘closeness’ measured by another questionnaire.

Closeness was associated with similarity of values but only for couples who had been together for less than 18 months.

For couples in longer relationships, complementarity of needs predicted closeness.

This study provided evidence that similarity is important in the early stages, but complementarity is more important later on

W Social changes

Filter theory claims that demographic factors reduce the field of availables to a relatively small pool of people similar to ourselves.

The role of filters change over time.

Online dating apps have increased the field of availables so location no longers limits partner choice.

These changes have led to relationships that were less common 30 years ago.

W Markey + Markey

Complementarity may not be central to all longer-term relationships.

Found that lesbian couples of equal dominance were the most satisfied.

Each couple had been romantically involved for a mean time more than 4.5 years.

Suggests that similarity of needs rather than complementarity may be associated with long-term satisfaction.

W Zorn

The influence of similarity in attitudes may depend on whether they are positive or negative.

Asked participants to name things they like and dislike from 8 domains (movies, food, celebrities).

They were asked how likable they would find someone who shared each attitude.

Results showed that participants felt people who shared their likes were more likable than people who shared their dislikes.

Suggests that similar positive attitudes have a stronger potential to create liking than similar negative attitudes. This is not considered by filter theory.