Filter theory, proposed by Kerckhoff and Davis (1962), explains relationship formation as a series of screens that potential partners must pass through.
The pool of 'availables' is narrowed down to the pool of 'desirables' through three distinct levels of filters.
Quote by Mae West
"So many men, so little time" illustrates the psychological reality of choice overload and the necessity of narrowing down options based on specific criteria.
Key Terms
Filter Theory
A developmental model indicating that different criteria are important at different stages of a relationship.
Social Demography
Focuses on factors that limit the chance of meeting in the first place. This includes geographical location, socioeconomic status, and education level.
Homogamy: The tendency to form relationships with people who are socially and culturally similar to ourselves.
Similarity in Attitudes
Based on the Law of Attraction (Donn Byrne, 1971), which suggests that similarity is a major cause of attraction. Finding common ground in values and beliefs validates our own worldviews.
Complementarity
The idea that partners provide what the other lacks. For instance, an impulsive person might be attracted to someone more organized and grounded.
Historical Foundation of Filter Theory
Kerckhoff and Davis (1962)
Conducted a longitudinal study on 94 US student couples. They found that for short-term couples (under 18 months), similarity of attitudes was the most significant predictor of stability. For long-term couples, complementarity became the more important factor.
Breakdown of Filters
Social Demography (1st Level)
These factors lead to propinquity (physical proximity). We are more likely to meet people we live near or work with.
Filtered by social variables like religion and ethnic group; we often feel more 'at home' with those who share our background.
Similarity in Attitudes (2nd Level)
Importance of 'fishing' for shared interests and values during early dates.
If a couple has too many conflicting core beliefs, the relationship is likely to fizzle out before it becomes serious.
Complementarity (3rd Level)
Concerns the ability to meet each other's emotional needs. This creates a sense of being a 'whole' unit where the strengths of one partner offset the weaknesses of the other.
Evaluation of Filter Theory
Research Support
The theory has high face validity as it matches the everyday experience of relationship progression.
Counterpoints and Criticisms
Failure to Replicate: Levinger (1974) pointed out that many studies failed to replicate original findings, possibly due to changing social values in the decades following the 1960s.
Direction of Cause and Effect: Longitudinal studies by Anderson et al. (2003) found that partners actually become more similar over time (emotional convergence), rather than being attracted primarily due to pre-existing similarity.
Online Dating: Geographical proximity is less relevant in the digital age, as apps allow people to meet outside their immediate social demographic.
Theories of Romantic Relationships: Social Exchange Theory (SET)
Overview
An economic model of relationships based on the principle of social behavior as an exchange of goods.
The formula for satisfaction is: Profit=Rewards−Costs.
Key Concepts in SET
Rewards
Benefits such as emotional support, sex, financial security, and social status.
Costs
Drawbacks such as time, stress, arguments, and compromised personal freedom.
Comparison Level (CL)
The amount of reward we believe we deserve. It is influenced by previous relationships and social norms (e.g., depictions of romance in media).
Comparison Level for Alternatives (CLalt)
An assessment of whether we could do better elsewhere. If the profit in a current relationship is lower than the perceived profit in an alternative (or being alone), the relationship may end.
Stages of Relationship Development
Sampling Stage: Testing the rewards and costs of social exchange in various contexts.
Bargaining Stage: Identifying which exchanges are most profitable and negotiating the terms of the relationship.
Commitment Stage: The source of rewards and costs becomes predictable; rewards increase and costs stabilize.
Institutionalization Stage: The norms of rewards and costs are firmly established within the relationship structure.
Theories of Romantic Relationships: Equity Theory
Overview
Equity theory suggests that people are most satisfied when the ratio of rewards to costs is similar for both partners.
Inequity leads to one partner being an underbenefitter (feeling resentment/anger) and the other being an overbenefitter (feeling guilt/shame).
Key Concepts in Equity Theory
Fairness vs. Equality
It is not about the size of the rewards/costs being equal, but the ratio being fair. If one partner puts in a lot of effort, they should receive a lot back to maintain equity.
Restoring Equity
Behavioral Change: One partner works harder to improve the relationship or demands more from the other.
Cognitive Change: Changing the perception of costs and rewards so that the relationship feels equitable even if nothing has physically changed.
Theories of Romantic Relationships: Rusbult's Investment Model
Overview
Rusbult (1980) argued that SET and Equity Theory are incomplete because they don't explain why people stay in unsatisfactory relationships.
Commitment is the key, and it depends on three factors: satisfaction, comparison with alternatives, and investment.
Key Concepts in Investment Model
Investment Size
Intrinsic Investments: Resources put directly into the relationship (e.g., money, emotion, self-disclosure).
Extrinsic Investments: Tangible or intangible resources that now exist because of the relationship (e.g., children, mutual friends, shared memories, a house).
Relationship Maintenance Mechanisms
Committed partners use specific behaviors to stay together:
Accommodation: Not retaliating when a partner acts poorly.
Willingness to Sacrifice: Putting the partner's needs first.
Positive Illusions: Having an unrealistically positive view of the partner.
Derogation of Alternatives: Viewing other potential partners as less attractive than they actually are.
Evaluation of Investment Model
Research Backing: A meta-analysis by Le and Agnew (2003) of 52 studies found that satisfaction, CLalt, and investment size were all highly correlated with relationship commitment across various cultures and sexual orientations.