Filter theory

kerchoff and davis

• compared attitudes and personalities of student couples in short term (under 18 mths) and long term (more than 18 mths)

filter theory definition

• first exposed to a field of availables but to form relationships we narrow down into a field of desireables

• social demography

• similarity in attitudes

• complementarity

level 1: social demography

• similarity in terms of gender, proximity, ethnicity social class etc.

• proximity: provides accessibility.

level 2: similarity in attitudes

• important in development of relationships under 18 mths.

• similarities/fundamental values to deeper communication

level 3: complementarity

• important for long term relationships

• we choose people who complement our traits.

• e.g one person more submissive and other dominant.

• forming a whole

limitation - temporal validity

• poor temporal validity

• people are more geographically movile and use online dating. (reduces proximity)

• allows connections from different social backgrounds to form challenging social demography.

strength - supporting evidence

• supported by evidence

• taylor analysed marriage and found people that are significantly more likely to marry someone from their own ethnic group. supports social demography.

• real world statistics to support

limitation - reductionist

• cant explain why people remain in abusive relationships despite lacking similarity or why perfect matches fail. ignores emotional needs and life circumstances.

• fails to capture relationship complexity, passion, forgiveness etc.

• more holistic approach may be better in explaining.